Chapter 10 - THE FATHER WHO WANTED TWO THINGS
Caleb wanted the money.
And the girls.
Both became true.
That was harder than a clean villain.
After first supervised meeting, he wrote Mara a letter through counselors.
I thought seeing them would make everything easier.
It made everything worse.
He admitted he had spent five years rationalizing.
Not ready.
Too late.
Mara hates me.
They are better without me.
Then Victor offered job.
Trust returned to his mind.
He told himself securing it could be way back into their lives.
Self-serving.
Maybe sincere partly.
Mara hated ambiguity.
But children’s therapist said:
“People can have mixed motives.”
Exactly.
Caleb continued supervised visits.
He was awkward.
Forgot Sophie hated bananas.
Confused Emma and Lily twice.
Then learned.
Brought no expensive gifts after therapist advised.
Read books.
Sat on floor.
For first time, Mara saw possibility of something other than enemy.
Not husband.
Never.
Maybe father eventually.
Then Victor’s case worsened.
Independent audit found he had borrowed $6.2 million through entities connected to restitution funds over twenty years.
Some repaid.
Some not.
Fraud charges possible.
Caleb had helped recent structuring.
His attorney approached prosecutors.
Cooperation.
If he testified against Victor, he could reduce exposure.
Mara did not interfere.
Then Caleb asked to speak with her.
Therapist office.
Neutral.
“I’m going to cooperate.”
“Good.”
“I may be charged too.”
“Okay.”
He flinched.
He wanted reassurance.
She had none.
Then:
“I did love you.”
Mara looked at him.
“Maybe.”
“I did.”
“Then you loved yourself more.”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Best thing he had said.
Then:
“Adrien?”
“What about him?”
“He loves you.”
Mara laughed.
“He barely knows me.”
Caleb shook his head.
“Men like him don’t sit on bakery floors assembling cake boxes.”
Mara froze.
Adrien had done exactly that last week during holiday rush.
No announcement.
No suit jacket.
Triplets stuck stickers on him.
Still not proof of love.
But evidence of effort.
Then Caleb said:
“Be careful.”
Mara hardened.
“Don’t.”
“I’m not threatening.”
“Then what?”
“Victor told me something.”
“What?”
“Adrien has been hiding part of his own business from you.”
Mara’s stomach tightened.
The promise.
I will not lie to her about who I am.
Caleb continued:
“He still controls operations that aren’t real estate.”
Mara already suspected.
But how much?
Then:
“Ask him about Pier Twelve.”
That night, Mara did.
May you like
Adrien went completely still.
He had not told her everything.
