“For twenty years,” Nathan said. “Until the birth mother passed away.”

He closed the ledger with a sharp snap.

“This is the proof we need, Emily,” he said. “To show what Eleanor really is.”

“She’ll fight back, Nathan,” I said, looking toward the door that led to the main house. “She won’t just let us take her down.”

“Let her fight,” Nathan said. “We are going to stand together.”

He reached out and gently touched my cheek, his fingers warm against my cold skin.

“You are my wife,” he said. “You belong here, in this house, as the rightful partner to everything I have.”

I looked at him, feeling the wall of isolation I had built around myself begin to crumble.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“So am I,” he said, offering a small, brave smile. “But we do this together.”

I nodded, the tears finally spilling over my eyelashes.

He pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around my shoulders.

The smell of rain and expensive cologne on his coat was comforting, a solid anchor in the storm.