My hand flew to my mouth.

My own father had helped my husband rob me.

“You promised me forty percent of the development rights once the downtown location is demolished,” Arthur said.

He paused again, listening to Gavin on the other end.

“I don’t care about Emily,” Arthur muttered. “She was always Evelyn’s favorite anyway. She has no head for the business.”

The words cut through me like a physical blade.

I had spent years trying to earn his approval, working eighty-hour weeks in the kitchens while he sat in his air-conditioned office.

“And keep your mouth shut about the car,” Arthur said. “I parked the silver Volvo three blocks down, under the overpass. If anyone spots it near the house, they’ll know I’m back in town.”

The silver Volvo.

I had seen it parked near the harbor restaurant last week, and again near my apartment.

I had assumed Gavin was hiring someone to follow me, or that I was simply losing my mind.

It was my father.

He had been watching me, tracking my movements to make sure I didn’t get too close to the truth.