Chapter 13 - LILY’S CHOICE
Six months passed before the custody hearing.
Grace rented a small house near Lily’s school.
It had peeling paint and a narrow backyard.
To Grace, it felt more beautiful than the Holloway estate.
Lily chose yellow curtains for her bedroom.
She placed Grace’s old photographs beside her bed.
Some days were peaceful.
Other days reminded them that healing was not a straight line.
Lily occasionally accused Grace of leaving her.
Seconds later, she would apologize and cry.
Grace always told her she had nothing to apologize for.
Nathan remained in county custody while awaiting trial.
His attorneys negotiated a plea agreement.
He would admit to obstruction, bribery, and conspiracy.
The possible sentence was twelve years.
Nathan asked to see Lily.
Grace resisted at first.
A child therapist advised that Lily should be allowed to choose.
Lily said yes.
The meeting took place in a supervised family room.
Nathan wore a plain blue uniform.
He looked thinner.
When Lily entered, he dropped to his knees.
She ran into his arms.
Grace watched from behind a glass wall.
Part of her wanted to hate him.
Another part remembered that he had been Lily’s entire world for six years.
Nathan and Lily colored pictures together.
He apologized without making excuses.
“I should have searched for your mother.”
Lily looked down at her drawing.
“Were you scared of Grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Were you scared of losing the company?”
“Yes.”
“Were you more scared of losing the company than losing Mommy?”
Nathan struggled to answer.
Finally, he whispered the truth.
“At that time, yes.”
Lily began crying.
Nathan did not reach for her immediately.
He allowed her to decide.
After several seconds, Lily moved into his arms.
“I’m still mad at you.”
“You should be.”
“I still love you.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“I love you too.”
After the visit, Lily walked beside Grace toward the parking lot.
“Can I love Daddy and still know he did something bad?”
“Yes.”
“Can I love Aunt Olivia?”
Grace stopped.
Lily looked worried.
“She told me lies.”
“She did.”
“But sometimes she was nice.”
Grace crouched beside her.
“People are not only one thing.”
Lily considered that.
“Is Aunt Olivia the villain?”
Grace remembered the question from the wedding advertisement that now appeared across every social media page.
Who was the true villain?
Olivia had poisoned her.
Beatrice had designed the plan.
Charles had funded it.
Mercer had enforced it.
Nathan had discovered the truth and remained silent.
Aaron had tried to kill her.
Every person carried part of the guilt.
Grace touched Lily’s cheek.
“The real villain was every person who knew something was wrong and decided it was easier to stay quiet.”
Lily nodded slowly.
“Then you weren’t quiet.”
“Not anymore.”
The custody judge granted Grace full custody.
Nathan received supervised visitation.
Beatrice was sentenced to twenty-five years.
Dr. Mercer received thirty-two.
Charles received fifteen.
Olivia accepted an eighteen-year sentence in exchange for her testimony.
Nathan’s sentencing was scheduled for the following week.
Grace believed the nightmare was finally ending.
May you like
Then Jonah called.
Nathan had disappeared during transport.
