Chapter 18 - NO MORE BARGAINING
The criminal investigation moved separately from the family case.
I stopped trying to predict every outcome.
My job was Lily.
I canceled half my travel schedule. I hired an independent trust administrator so no one could ever claim Lily's money depended on my personal judgment. I changed every password in the house. I gave Mrs. Hall and Jenna direct contact information that nobody else could edit.
Most importantly, I started therapy with Lily.
At our third session, the therapist asked her, "What happens when Dad is disappointed in you?"
Lily looked at me before answering.
"I don't know yet."
That hurt, but it was honest.
The therapist nodded. "Then you two get to learn."
A week later, Lily spilled a full glass of chocolate milk across my laptop.
She froze.
Her face went white.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll clean it. Don't call Vanessa."
I moved the laptop away and handed her a towel.
"It's milk. We clean it. That's all."
She stared at me.
"You're not mad?"
"I'm annoyed at the milk. I love you exactly the same."
She burst into tears.
Not because she was scared.
Because she believed me.
That night, I received an email from Vanessa through her attorney.
She offered to waive any claim to the house and sign an uncontested divorce agreement if I agreed not to pursue civil claims related to Lily's trust.
Rebecca read it once.
"She's bargaining."
I looked through the glass doors at Lily building a blanket fort with Jenna.
For years I had paid money to make conflict disappear.
Vanessa knew that.
I typed one sentence.
No agreement will include silence about conduct involving my daughter.
Rebecca nodded.
Then her phone rang.
May you like
It was the prosecutor's office.
Graham Pike had decided to cooperate.
