“I need to know whether you are going to try to take them.”
The question horrified him.
“No.”
“Your mother said your lawyers could bury me.”
“They will not.”
“You cannot expect me to trust a promise made five minutes after you learned they exist.”
“I don’t.”
She studied him, surprised by the answer.
Grayson continued.
“You choose the attorney.
You choose the first meeting place.
I will sign an agreement confirming that the twins remain in your custody while we establish a safe visitation plan.
I will cover their expenses without attaching conditions.
Everything goes through your counsel until you say otherwise.”
“Money does not fix this.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at the letters spread across the table.
“I’m beginning to.”
Samara’s anger finally broke through her restraint.
“I gave birth alone, Grayson.
Claire arrived after Noelle was delivered because she was on a flight from Boston.
Elias spent four days under observation because he was having trouble breathing.
Every time a doctor asked for the father’s medical history, I had to say I didn’t know enough because the man who loved me had decided I was a liar.”
Grayson closed his eyes.
“I am sorry.”
“That sentence is too small.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying you know.
You don’t know what it was like to hear your mother describe exactly how she could take my babies.
You don’t know how many nights I stayed awake because a car had parked outside my building.
You don’t know what it cost me to come here.”
“You’re right.”
Her voice shook.
“And I did not leak your company memo.”
Grayson opened his eyes.
The old accusation hung between them like smoke.
Company counsel cleared his throat.
“Mr.
Holt, the source of that leak was identified during last year’s internal audit.
It was Marcus Vale from strategic planning.”
Grayson turned sharply.
“What?”
“The report was sent to the executive office.
Mr.
Vale admitted selling information to cover gambling debts.”
“I never received that report.”
The attorney’s expression darkened.
“Then we have another document trail to examine.”
Samara stared at Grayson.
“She knew I was innocent.”
He thought of his mother controlling his calendar, correspondence, household staff, and personal appearances.
She had always called it efficiency.
He had called it loyalty.
Now he saw the system for what it had been: a beautifully furnished cage whose door he had willingly closed.
