Every instinct I had screamed to refuse to prove I didn't need him, didn't need his money or his resources or his careful orchestration of my life.
But Brian's voice echoed in my head again:Take what's useful and leave the rest.
"Please." The word seemed to cost him something. Charles Rothwell didn't beg. "Let us do this. Just until everything is resolved."
I wanted to refuse. Every instinct I had screamed to refuse—to prove I didn't need him, didn't need his money or his resources or his careful orchestration of my life.
But Brian's voice echoed in my head:Take what's useful and leave the rest.
"Fine." The word tasted bitter.
Relief flickered across his face. "Good. I'll arrange for a driver to take you to the hospital. A security guard will accompany you—discreet, professional. You won't even notice he's there."
A driver. A security guard. My life, neatly managed by Charles Rothwell once again.
I exhaled slowly. "Only until this is resolved."
"You have my word." He held my gaze. "Once the Langs are dealt with, I'll call it off. No arguments."
I studied him for a moment, looking for the catch. The loophole. The fine print he'd exploit later.
I didn't find it. That didn't mean it wasn't there.
"Okay." I stood, tucking the folder under my arm. "The information is helpful. Thank you."
He stood too, and for a moment we just looked at each other. Father and daughter, separated by a table and fourteen years of silence.
"I'll be in touch," I said. "If I need more."
"Anytime." His voice was quieter now. "I mean that, Ava. Anytime."
I nodded. Turned to leave. At the edge of the table, I paused.
"Goodbye, Dad."
"Goodbye, sweetheart."
The word hit somewhere I wasn't expecting. I didn't look back.
The folder was heavy in my hands as I walked out into the Midtown sun. Evidence. Ammunition. A weapon I hadn't expected.
My father wanted redemption.
I wasn't ready to give him that. Not yet.
But maybe, someday, I could try.
The next morning, Brian was coming off shift, and I was going in for mine. I texted him:
Ava
My father's arranging a car to take me to and from work. Long story. Go straight home after your shift—I'll explain tonight.
Brian
You okay?
Ava
