Chapter 4
I told Daniel everything in the library.
Lily sat on my lap the entire time.
She had both shoes now, but she refused to put the loose one back on.
She held it in her hand like proof.
Daniel listened without interrupting.
The officers took notes.
Celeste paced near the fireplace, whispering that children exaggerated.
My father sat behind his old desk as if position could still save him.
When Lily spoke, the room changed.
“She said Grandpa wanted me gone,” she whispered.
The younger officer crouched to her height.
“What else did she say?”
Lily looked at me.
I nodded.
“She said Daddy would be sent away too if I cried.”
My throat closed.
The officer’s jaw tightened.
Celeste snapped, “That is ridiculous.”
Lily flinched.
I stood so fast the chair scraped back.
“Lower your voice.”
My father said, “Enough. This family does not air private matters in front of police.”
Daniel opened his folder.
“This stopped being private when you ordered a child removed.”
My father’s eyes sharpened.
“You work for me.”
Daniel looked at me.
“No. I work for the current head of the Vale estate.”
Then he placed a document on the desk.
The succession transfer.
Signed.
Witnessed.
Filed.
Permanent.
My father stared at it like it was a snake.
Daniel continued.
“Adrian has full legal authority over the estate, the company, the trust, and household security.”
Celeste whispered, “No.”
“Yes,” Daniel said. “And any attempt to remove his child or question his competency without cause will be treated as fraud and custodial interference.”
My father’s face turned red.
“You think papers make him strong?”
I looked at him.
“No. She does.”
I nodded toward Lily.
“She made me strong the day she was born.”
My father’s mouth twisted.
“Sentiment ruins men.”
“No,” I said. “Cruelty ruins families.”
The officers asked Celeste to come with them for questioning.
She screamed then.
Not like an aunt.
Not like a noble woman.
Like someone losing the power to hurt quietly.
As they led her out, Lily whispered, “Is she going away?”
I held her close.
“Yes.”
May you like
My father watched us with cold eyes.
And I knew the fight had only begun.
