waiting for other people to decide which parts of my life I am allowed to understand.”
Jason studied me.
Then his posture changed.
“Fine.”
“What?”
“I’m coming with you.”
Vivian took a step forward.
“No.”
Jason did not look at her.
“You need someone who knows the company records. Clara needs someone who can identify whatever is in that locker.”
“You expect us to trust you?” Vivian asked.
“No,” he said. “I expect you to judge what I do next.”
The answer silenced her.
I looked toward Ethan’s room.
He had trusted the key to his future wife before he knew whether he would ever wake again.
Somehow, that wife had been me.
“I want my father there,” I said.
Jason gave a short nod.
“And an attorney,” Vivian added. “One independent of the Thornton companies.”
For once, no one argued.
Two hours later, the four of us stood beneath
