“Yes,” she said. “And your cooperation in the upcoming merger.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I give this folder to the district attorney,” Celeste said.

“Your mother will go to prison for medical fraud and conspiracy,” she said.

“And the ensuing scandal will reduce Whitmore Capital to dust,” she added.

“You would destroy the company just to hurt us?” I asked.

“I would destroy it to get my share,” Celeste said.

Maren stood up from the sofa.

“I don’t care about your company,” Maren said, her voice rising.

“I care about my children,” she said, looking at Celeste.

“Where are they?” I asked Maren.

“They are sleeping upstairs,” Maren said.

“They don’t need to hear this,” she added.

I looked at the staircase at the end of the hall.

I wanted to run up those stairs and hold them.

I wanted to tell them that their father was finally here.

But I had to finish this first.

I turned back to Celeste.

“You think you have won,” I said quietly.

“I know I have,” Celeste said.

“You forgot one thing,” I said.