Chapter 5 - Reclaiming the Foundation
Over the next month, life moved at a breathless pace.
The Darien estate—once a cold, empty stage for Derek’s lies—was transformed into a real home. I hired a team of local contractors to renovate the third floor into a vibrant play area for Caleb, complete with hand-painted murals of stars and oceans, a massive reading nook, and rows of oak toy chests filled with books, art supplies, and building blocks.
My grandfather insisted on moving into the east wing of the estate. After years of isolation enforced by Derek’s interception of his letters, Walter wanted nothing more than to spend his retirement years watching his great-grandson grow up.
Every morning, the three of us ate breakfast together in the sunroom overlooking the gardens.
"You need to finish that degree, Allison," my grandfather said one morning, placing a folded brochure from Columbia University’s School of Business beside my plate. "You have a natural mind for organization and strategy. Look at how you handled those ledgers with Mark last week."
I picked up the brochure, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. "Grandfather... Columbia is two hours away, and the tuition—"
"The tuition is already paid for through your family trust fund," Walter interrupted with a warm, triumphant smile. "And as for the distance, you can take executive hybrid classes three days a week. I will personally supervise Caleb’s tutors while you're in class."
I looked at the glossy pages of the brochure. For three years, I had put my dreams on hold, convincing myself that a woman without money or connections had no right to ambition.
"I’ll do it," I said, a genuine smile lighting up my face. "On one condition."
Walter raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"
"I want to intern at Harrington Health Systems," I said firmly. "I want to learn how the hospital network operates from the ground up. I don't want anything handed to me because of my last name. I want to earn my place."
My grandfather looked at me for a long moment, his brown eyes gleaming with proud tears. "You really are your mother’s daughter, Allison. She was fearless, too."
That afternoon, I received a call from Richard Sterling.
"Allison, Derek’s criminal defense attorney is requesting a formal meeting," Richard said over the speakerphone. "Derek is offering to sign a full confession and plead guilty to all charges in exchange for a lighter sentence. But he has one condition."
"What condition?" I asked coldly.
"He wants to see you in person at the county jail. He claims he has information about remaining offshore assets that he will only reveal to you."
May you like
I sat at my new oak desk in the library, looking out at the sunlit gardens where Caleb was chasing butterflies with his grandfather.
"Tell his lawyer I’ll be there tomorrow at ten o'clock," I said.
