“I will prepare the paperwork for the emergency board meeting.”

Nathan nodded once, his shoulders finally dropping a fraction of an inch.

He turned to me.

The cold, hard mask he had worn for his father melted away.

His eyes were wet, his face lined with exhaustion and regret.

“Emily,” he said softly.

He reached out, his hand trembling as he touched Lily’s small, knitted bootie.

“I am so sorry,” he whispered.

“I didn’t know.”

“I know you didn’t,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.

But the pain of the last four months was still there, a heavy weight in my chest.

He looked at me, searching my face.

“Can we go home?” he asked.

“To the estate?” I asked, my heart tightening.

“No,” Nathan said. “My apartment. Just us.”

I nodded slowly, though I knew the battle was far from over.

Richard still had allies, and he still controlled the physical assets at the family estate.

The lawyers filed out of the room, leaving us alone with Mr. Hayes.

Mr. Hayes stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the grey Manhattan skyline.