I thought winning you would make me feel chosen. It only made me smaller. I am sorry.
Rowan read it once, then gave it to Priya.
Evelyn fought longer.
She denied, delayed, and tried to bury the records behind attorneys who spoke in polished phrases. But Henry Bellamy’s lockbox held too much. Gregory Voss testified. Dr. Kline testified. The Mercers testified. Eventually, even old Hawthorne staff members came forward, some ashamed, some relieved, all carrying pieces of a truth too heavy to keep.
The Bellamy board removed Evelyn from every trust and foundation.
