Chapter 18 - Lily’s First Birthday
Lily’s first birthday took place in a rented house beside Lake Michigan.
No politicians attended.
No executives.
No armed motorcade.
There were twelve guests.
Grace baked the cake.
Emma insisted on decorating it with crooked white flowers.
Thomas attended under federal escort for one hour.
Daniel brought a stuffed bear almost larger than Lily.
Even Rebecca Sloan came by briefly.
Adrian stood in the kitchen holding Evelyn’s letter.
Grace approached.
“You don’t have to read it today.”
“Yes.”
He looked toward Lily.
“I do.”
Everyone gathered in the living room.
Lily sat on Adrian’s lap.
Emma sat beside them holding the gray rabbit.
Adrian unfolded Evelyn’s letter.
“My beautiful Lily.”
His voice trembled.
“If Daddy is reading this to you, please remind him that birthdays require cake, not bodyguards.”
People laughed softly.
Adrian continued.
“I hope you have your father’s stubbornness only when it helps you.”
“I hope you have my patience because someone in this family will need it.”
Grace smiled.
Thomas lowered his eyes.
Adrian continued.
“And I hope both of you remember that being powerful means nothing if people are afraid to love you.”
Adrian stopped.
The room became quiet.
The final paragraph was shorter.
“Adrian.”
“I know you’ll read this even though it isn’t addressed to you.”
Everyone laughed again.
Adrian wiped his eyes.
“So here is your reminder.”
“You are allowed to be happy.”
“You are allowed to walk away.”
“And whatever Lily becomes, let her become it without carrying our mistakes.”
Adrian folded the letter.
Lily immediately grabbed it.
Grace laughed.
“She has opinions.”
“She gets that from her mother.”
Later that evening, Thomas found Adrian standing beside the lake.
“You did what she wanted.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I started.”
Thomas nodded.
“The prosecutors offered me a deal.”
Adrian looked at him.
“What kind?”
“Three years.”
“For withholding evidence and interfering with the investigation.”
Adrian said nothing.
Thomas continued.
“I’m taking it.”
“You saved Lily.”
“And I made decisions that weren’t mine to make.”
Adrian understood.
Thomas looked toward the house.
“Grace saved her more than I did.”
“Yes.”
“What happens to Grace?”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“She decides.”
Thomas nodded.
Then his expression became serious.
“There’s one thing Marcus said during interrogation.”
Adrian looked over.
“What?”
“He claimed Victor wasn’t the person who first gave him access to your security systems.”
Adrian frowned.
“Then who did?”
“He wouldn’t say.”
Adrian looked back toward the house.
The main conspiracy was over.
Marcus was locked away.
Victor would never control the family again.
But old empires produced long shadows.
Thomas placed a hand on Adrian’s shoulder.
“Whatever comes next, don’t become who you were.”
Adrian looked through the window at Lily smashing birthday cake into Emma’s hair.
Grace was laughing.
Adrian smiled.
May you like
“I won’t.”
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