Chapter 10 - Mark's ConfessionMark had written the confession two days after the crash.
He admitted paying Tyler.
He admitted ordering Caleb to follow Ethan.
He admitted knowing Caleb had been drinking.
He told himself Tyler would stop him if things became dangerous.
No one did.
Then Ethan died.
Mark knew.
Instead of confessing, he allowed Richard to accelerate the guardianship plan.
He used Noah as leverage.
He allowed everyone to believe the family was simply trying to protect a grieving mother.
The truth was uglier.
Noah was also camouflage.
Mark was trying to hide his role in Ethan's death.
When I finally agreed to see him in prison, he looked smaller.
“You wanted my son,” I said.
“I wanted what he represented.”
“The trust?”
He nodded.
“And Carla wanted a baby.”
He lowered his head.
“Did you love Noah?”
He looked at me.
“I didn't know him.”
That answer mattered.
Because for the first time, Mark stopped pretending his actions were about family.
They had been about money.
Fear.
Desperation.
And control.
He eventually accepted a plea agreement and testified against the others.
I did not forgive him.
But I stopped letting his guilt become mine.
Then I went to Ethan's cabin near McCall.
Inside a desk drawer, I found a yellow blanket.
Underneath was a note.
Your name should feel like home. Pick whichever one does.
I cried.
Then I understood.
May you like
My father had spent years telling me who I was.
Ethan had wanted me to decide for myself.
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