He learned about my mother.
I learned he hated lilies.
He learned I drank coffee too strong.
I learned he had always suspected Jason resented living one branch away from power.
Vivian eventually asked me what I wanted from the Thornton family.
I told her, ‘Nothing that requires me to belong to anyone.’
For once, she smiled.
Jason lost his position within the company and faced the consequences of the financial evidence uncovered by the audit while the remaining questions surrounding Ethan’s crash stayed with investigators, where they belonged.
The trust remained under lawful management.
Ethan’s voting rights were protected while he recovered.
And the marriage Jason had arranged as a tool became the very thing that prevented him from quietly taking control.
On the first morning Ethan walked to the river windows without anyone holding his arm, I stood several feet away and watched him reach the glass.
He turned toward me.
‘Claire.’
‘What?’
‘I remember your voice.’
I frowned.
‘From when?’
‘Before I opened my eyes.’
My chest tightened.
He smiled faintly.
‘You said everybody got something except me.’
I looked down.
‘I was having a bad day.’
‘You were having a terrible wedding.’
That made me laugh.
Then he held out his hand.
Not because a minister told him to.
Not because a trust required it.
Not because my father needed money or Vivian needed an heir protected or Jason needed a signature.
Because he wanted to.
I crossed the room and took it.
Our first vows had been spoken while only one of us was allowed a voice.
Whatever came after would be different.
This time, we would both be awake.
