Chapter 12 - THOMAS HALE'S LETTER
Thomas Hale's letter had been stored with his younger brother Vernon.
Dr. Vernon Hale.
The same physician who had treated Grant since college.
Grant drove to his office with Nora.
Tired.
Ashamed.
"You knew."
"Since you were twenty-one."
"You watched me marry Rachel."
"Yes."
"You held Maddie when she was born."
"Yes."
"And you never told me who my father was."
Vernon removed a sealed envelope from a safe.
"My brother asked me to give this to you if Evelyn ever lost control."
"That was the condition?"
"Tom was afraid she would destroy your life if he pushed."
"Everyone was afraid of Evelyn."
"You were too."
That landed.
Grant opened the letter.
Thomas wrote simply.
I don't know whether being your father gives me any right to you. Probably not. But if you ever learn the truth, know that I asked to meet you. Evelyn said no. Arthur said no. I should have asked you.
Thomas had left him no fortune.
No company.
Just photographs.
A college ring.
A recorded birthday message for every year from twenty-two to twenty-seven.
Grant listened to the first one in the car.
"Happy birthday, Grant. I hope you're becoming the man you choose, not the one other people choose for you."
That evening, his supervised visit with Maddie took place at Nora's office.
Rachel stayed across the room.
Maddie handed him a block.
He took it.
No hug.
No demand.
After twenty minutes, she crawled into his lap by herself.
At the end, Grant said, "I'm filing for divorce."
Rachel blinked.
"You are?"
"I don't want you trapped while I try to become safer."
Rachel studied him.
"That's the first unselfish thing you've said to me in months."
"I know."
Her face was tense.
"The trust court issued a preliminary ruling."
"What?"
"Arthur's biological-descendant clause is invalid as applied to Grant."
"Forty-two percent voting control transfers immediately."
Rachel's stomach dropped.
"To Pierce?"
"No."
May you like
"Then who?"
"Celeste Ward."
