Chapter 10 - Evan Learns Breakfast
Without Grace, estate changed.
Evan reduced staff.
Moved children into smaller west wing.
Started breakfast himself twice week.
Badly.
Learned hair braiding through online videos.
Sophie laughed first attempts.
Caleb slept in Evan’s room after nightmares.
Evan attended school pickups personally whenever possible.
Business suffered.
He sold three questionable holdings.
Closed two clubs connected old networks.
Federal attorneys shocked cooperation.
“Why?” Martin’s replacement counsel asked.
“My children flinch when people say my name.”
He wanted change that.
He created independent trust separating children from criminal-adjacent wealth.
Any inheritance came only legitimate audited assets.
He donated Vale settlement money to domestic abuse programs.
Not redemption.
Action.
Grace watched from Boston through news.
They texted rarely.
Sophie forced more.
DADDY BURNED EGGS AGAIN.
Grace replied:
Call fire department.
Evan:
Betrayal.
Months passed.
Then Sophie school had family day.
She invited Grace without telling Evan.
Grace arrived.
Evan froze across gymnasium.
She looked different.
Nursing scrubs beneath coat.
Hair shorter.
Happy.
He realized loving someone sometimes means noticing they thrive away from you.
He liked that.
After event, coffee.
“How Boston?”
“Good.”
“Children miss you.”
“I miss them.”
He paused.
“I miss you.”
Grace looked at him.
“That sounds dangerous.”
“I’m trying honesty.”
“Keep trying.”
May you like
No kiss.
Not yet.
