Chapter 12 - DANIEL'S FINAL CHANCE
Daniel contacted me one final time.
He requested a meeting.
I almost refused.
Then I agreed.
We met in a quiet café.
He looked older.
Thinner.
Broken.
He sat across from me.
“I don't expect anything.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To apologize.”
I waited.
“I destroyed everything.”
“Yes.”
“I thought money would make me happy.”
“It didn't.”
“No.”
He looked down.
“I lost the company.”
“Yes.”
“My home.”
“Yes.”
“My family.”
I remained silent.
He looked at me.
“But the worst part is knowing I threw away the person who actually loved me.”
I took a breath.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“I loved you.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
“But I don't anymore.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
“I don't hate you.”
He looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because hate would keep you in my life.”
He lowered his head.
“I deserved that.”
I stood.
“Goodbye, Daniel.”
He looked up.
“Emily.”
I stopped.
“You really own everything?”
I smiled.
“No.”
He frowned.
“I own my life.”
Then I walked away.
I never saw him again.
Later that year, the judge finalized the remaining asset settlements.
Daniel received nothing from the company.
Madison was convicted.
Richard was sentenced.
The remaining fraudulent accounts were dissolved.
The Carter estate was finally clean.
My mother stopped looking over her shoulder.
My father finally slept peacefully.
May you like
Sarah became part of every holiday.
And my daughter grew up surrounded by people who loved her without conditions.
