room.
Daniel walked in wearing jail clothing.
I stared.
He looked old.
He whispered.
“Rebecca.”
I said nothing.
He sat.
“I don’t expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He nodded.
“I thought I was saving everyone.”
I laughed.
“No.”
“You were saving yourself.”
He looked down.
“At first, I was trying to save the family.”
“Then why take the boys?”
“Because Harbor Crest knew them.”
“And not the girls.”
“Yes.”
“Why not tell me?”
“You would have gone to police.”
“Yes.”
“And then what?”
“Maybe they would have helped.”
“Maybe.”
“You didn’t give anyone the choice.”
He stared.
“I know.”
“No.”
“I don’t think you do.”
I leaned forward.
“You decided I could survive losing my husband and three sons.”
“You decided Sophie could lose her father and brothers.”
“Emma.”
“Lily.”
“You decided Caleb could carry your secret.”
“You lied to Mason and Jacob.”
“You made funeral grief safer for us than truth.”
Daniel started crying.
I continued.
“Then the danger ended.”
“And you still stayed away.”
His face collapsed.
“I was afraid.”
“Of prison?”
