Chapter 6
I was discharged after two days.
I did not go home.
Home was the Miami house Daniel had decorated like he owned it.
Marcus took me to a secure condo my father had kept under the trust.
I did not know it existed.
Inside were clothes in my size.
Toiletries.
A phone charger.
A safe.
And one letter on the kitchen counter.
My name written in Dad’s hand.
I sat down before opening it.
Em,
If you are reading this, then I failed to convince you while I was alive, and I am sorry.
I do not want to be right. I want you safe.
Daniel has asked too many questions about death, insurance, and access. He watches your fear of water too carefully. I have taken steps I hope you never need.
If you need this place, stay here. If you need Marcus, trust him. If you need courage, remember you were swimming toward me before you could walk.
You survived before Daniel ever knew you.
Love,
Dad
I pressed the letter to my face and sobbed.
He had given me a safe house.
A lawyer.
A trap.
A reminder.
May you like
And still, the best thing he gave me was one sentence.
You survived before Daniel ever knew you.
