pointing.
He saw Rosalie’s face.
Slowly, he released the older man.
Rosalie translated every sentence.
She did not soften one.
Gideon read.
Then took the pencil.
His answer was only five words.
He does not get credit.
Rosalie looked at him.
Gideon tapped the page.
She understood.
Silas did not get credit for the life Gideon had built despite him.
She showed her father the sentence.
Silas laughed bitterly.
“Fine.
Hate me.
Take your papers and go.”
Rosalie looked at the hidden compartment.
“Mother knew.”
Silas’s face changed again.
That was the final locked door.
“Yes,” Rosalie said.
“She knew.”
Merrick sank into a chair.
Silas said nothing.
Rosalie unfolded Eleanor’s letter.
There are matters regarding your injury that I have carried too long in silence.
“Mother discovered the records.”
Silas poured another drink with shaking hands.
“She discovered everything.”
“When?”
“Years later.”
“How many?”
Silas said nothing.
Merrick answered.
