Clara and Lily were lying on the kitchen floor, barely conscious, while my mother calmly pushed dirty water around them.
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Chapter 23 / 27
Chapter 23 - DANIEL COMES HOME
Daniel left prison in his forties.
Restrictions.
Restitution.
No financial fiduciary role for years.
He worked first in warehouse operations.
Not finance.
Humbling.
He asked to see me.
I agreed.
Clara did not.
Lily was seventeen and chose no.
Daniel respected both.
We met at a diner.
He wore a cheap digital watch.
I noticed.
Hated myself for noticing.
He laughed.
“I know.”
“What?”
“The watch.”
“Wasn’t going to say anything.”
“You were.”
Maybe.
He asked about HarborCare.
I gave public information.
No confidential role.
Then:
“Do you think Dad would hate me?”
I answered:
“Dad is dead. Stop outsourcing judgment.”
He stared.
Then laughed bitterly.
“Therapy?”
“Expensive.”
May you like
We did not become close.
We became possible.
