CHAPTER 1 — THE AFTERMATH OF SILENCE
The room didn’t move after Grace spoke.
Only the sound of the baby monitor still faintly echoing the past filled the space like a ghost refusing to leave.
Daniel stood frozen. His jaw tight. His breath shallow.
Not because he didn’t understand what had happened…
But because everyone finally understood him.
Evelyn slowly stepped backward, her hand covering her mouth.
Not crying—just collapsing inward.
“I didn’t know…” she whispered. “I swear I didn’t know…”
Arthur Brooks didn’t respond. He simply watched Daniel like a man who had already read the ending.
Grace adjusted Lily in her arms, shielding her eyes from the tension.
Daniel finally broke the silence.
“I was trying to fix it,” he said quietly. “The company was dying. I had no time. No options.”
Arthur tilted his head slightly.
May you like
“And so you chose theft.”
That word hit harder than accusation.
