Chapter 15 - Simone's Letter
The envelope had Adrian's name written in Simone's handwriting.
He recognized the aggressive slant immediately.
Simone had written like she was always late for something.
Evelyn Bennett handed him the envelope at Camille's kitchen table.
"It's from three weeks before surgery."
Adrian looked up.
"You knew she might die?"
"We all knew."
"I didn't."
Evelyn's expression softened.
"You knew. You just refused to live in the sentence."
That sounded like Simone too.
Adrian opened the letter.
It wasn't long.
That made it worse.
A,
If you're reading this, someone decided you need me to annoy you from beyond the grave. I'm impressed with my reach.
He laughed.
Then covered his mouth.
Camille turned away.
Adrian kept reading.
You have a habit that scares me. When people need you, you feel safe. When they don't, you assume they're leaving. So you choose people who admire your strength instead of people who challenge your blind spots.
His chest tightened.
Don't confuse dependence with love. Lila will need you because she's a child. Whoever comes after me should not need your money, your name, your rescue, or your approval to become themselves. If they do, you will mistake being useful for being loved.
Adrian stopped.
Evelyn watched him silently.
He read the final lines.
And one more thing. If anyone ever makes you choose between protecting Lila's peace and protecting an adult's feelings, hurt the adult's feelings. Every time.
Love you. Still bossy.
S.
Adrian put the letter down.
For a while, nobody spoke.
Then Camille said, "She really did have you figured out."
He laughed through tears.
"Apparently everybody did except me."
Evelyn reached across the table.
"That's not what she meant."
"Corinne needed me."
"Corinne studied you."
"Same result."
"No."
Adrian looked at her.
Evelyn squeezed his hand.
"One makes you foolish. The other makes you deceived."
That distinction mattered.
Not because it erased his choices.
Because it kept guilt from turning into self-destruction.
His phone rang.
Miriam.
He answered.
"Tell me something good."
"I can tell you something important."
"Close enough."
"The board's independent committee found evidence that Halcyon received confidential strategic information originating from your household."
"Corinne."
"They can't prove which person transmitted every document, but yes, several files correlate with access from her laptop."
"Will the board keep me?"
"This isn't a high-school election."
"Miriam."
"They are no longer considering involuntary leave."
Adrian exhaled.
"And Hale?"
"The committee has referred potential securities issues to federal authorities."
"Potential?"
"Adrian."
"Right. Precision."
"You're learning."
He looked at Simone's letter.
"Miriam, I want my estate plan changed."
"How?"
"Independent trustees for Lila. No future spouse with discretionary control over her assets."
"Reasonable."
"And if something happens to me, Camille first for guardianship, then Simone's parents."
"I'll draft it."
"I should've done it earlier."
"Do it now."
Simple.
That evening, Lila sat beside him on the porch.
She held Pip over the railing.
Adrian's entire body reacted.
"Lila."
She froze.
He softened his voice.
"Bring Pip back, please."
She did.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
She looked at him.
"You scared?"
"Yeah."
"Of edge?"
"A little."
Lila thought about it.
Then put Pip in his lap.
"You hold."
He smiled.
"Deal."
She leaned against him.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Corinne not love me?"
There was no safe answer.
No perfect answer.
Adrian chose truth sized for a three-year-old.
"Corinne didn't treat you with love."
Lila nodded slowly.
"Did she love you?"
His throat tightened.
"I don't know."
Lila considered this.
Then said, "I love you."
He looked down.
"That's convenient."
She giggled.
"I love pancakes too."
"Apparently I'm tied with breakfast."
"Pancakes win."
"Wow."
She laughed.
Adrian laughed too.
Inside, Camille was watching through the glass.
For once, nobody was performing.
Then Adrian's phone buzzed.
Ruiz.
We found the original yacht plan.
A second message arrived.
It has Corinne's handwriting.
Then:
And it includes the words: "If she catches the rim, finish it."
Adrian stopped laughing.
The night on the yacht had not gone wrong.
May you like
It had gone almost exactly as Corinne intended.
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