choose Melanie by accident. Laurel House is where this began. Ask Miriam what your father knew.”
I read it once.
Then again.
My father.
The room swayed.
My father had known about Laurel House?
My father, who had welcomed Lucas into our family.
My father, who had trusted him.
My father, whose estate documents Lucas had stolen.
I turned the paper over.
On the back was an address in Palm Springs.
Not the luxury condominium.
A different address.
And beneath it, one final line:
“Melanie is there, but she is not alone.”
Part 3
The paper in my hand felt heavier than the brass key resting beside it.
My father.
My father, who had treated Lucas like the son he never had. My father, who had smiled on his deathbed as Lucas held my hand and swore to protect me forever.
Was every piece of my life built on a
