Chapter 10 - The ArrestRebecca arrived at the hospital.
Mom knew her.
They had met years earlier.
Rebecca admitted contacting Melissa.
She wanted Michael's claim exposed before Carter & Sons was sold.
But she insisted she never wanted Eleanor hurt.
Detective Harris arrested her on conspiracy-related allegations while investigators continued building the case.
Meanwhile, Melissa was formally charged with offenses involving financial exploitation, forgery, identity theft, and administering medication without consent.
Kevin was in custody.
Eric was cooperating.
For the first time in twenty-four hours, nobody was running.
Nobody was hiding.
Nobody was deleting files.
The truth had finally caught everyone.
Six weeks later, Melissa asked to see me.
I agreed.
She looked smaller in the county-issued clothing.
“Daniel,” she whispered.
“Melissa.”
“I loved you.”
I believed her.
That was the saddest part.
“I think you did.”
“Then why can't we fix this?”
I looked at her.
“Because love without safety isn't enough.”
She cried.
I placed the divorce papers on the table.
“We're done.”
She stared at them.
Then whispered:
“Tell Eleanor I'm sorry.”
I stood.
“You can write her a letter.”
“Will she read it?”
“That choice belongs to her.”
May you like
I walked away.
And for the first time in eleven years, I didn't look back.
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