Chapter 12 - THE DAY THE GIRLS STOPPED HIDING
Mercer was arrested months later on charges arising from financial fraud, falsified documents, and obstruction-related conduct.
His companies faced civil claims and regulatory investigations.
Isabella's loan dispute was resolved in her favor after the forged amendments were challenged.
Bennett Restoration survived.
Barely.
But it survived.
And Isabella no longer had to answer Mercer's calls.
One afternoon, the girls invited me and Ethan to a school performance.
They had prepared a short play about bravery.
Grace played a dragon.
Olivia played a knight.
Emma narrated.
Sophie directed everyone from the side of the stage.
It was chaotic.
Ridiculous.
Wonderful.
At the end, Grace ran toward me.
“Mr. Alexander!”
I knelt.
“Yes?”
“We weren't scared!”
I smiled.
“I noticed.”
She threw her arms around my neck.
“Because the bad man can't tell us what to do anymore.”
My throat tightened.
I hugged her gently.
“No, sweetheart.”
She pulled back.
Then whispered:
“Can we stop pretending now?”
I froze.
“What do you mean?”
She looked toward Isabella.
Then back at me.
“Can you be our real daddy?”
I couldn't speak.
Across the room, Isabella had heard.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Ethan stood beside her.
He looked at me.
Then at Grace.
And for the first time, I realized that the question wasn't only about what I wanted.
May you like
It was about five children.
And the lives we might build together.
