Chapter 18 - HOWARD’S FINAL CONFESSION
Howard Hale’s health deteriorated rapidly.
He requested to see Robert.
Robert almost refused.
Liam said, “Go.”
“You don’t want to come?”
“No.”
Robert understood.
Howard had earned no audience from the grandson he erased.
Robert entered the nursing home room carrying Evelyn’s evidence.
Howard looked smaller than he remembered.
Not powerful.
Just old.
“You won,” Howard whispered.
“There was never anything to win.”
“I protected you.”
“You destroyed Lydia.”
Howard closed his eyes.
“I never ordered her death.”
Robert froze.
“Then what happened?”
Howard said Lydia’s heart had genuinely failed.
The cruelty had been everything before that.
Isolation.
Threats.
Fear.
The stress likely worsened her condition.
“But Nathan wanted the problem permanently solved,” Howard whispered.
Robert leaned closer.
“What does that mean?”
Howard looked frightened for the first time.
“After Lydia died, Nathan wanted Nora arrested and the child placed somewhere no one could trace.”
Robert felt sick.
“I stopped him.”
“You expect gratitude?”
“No.”
Howard began crying.
“I told myself there were lines I would not cross.”
“You stole a newborn.”
Howard nodded.
“I know.”
Robert turned toward the door.
“Robert.”
He stopped.
“Tell Liam…”
“No.”
Howard stared at him.
“You do not get to make your guilt his responsibility.”
Robert left.
Howard died three days later.
His estate contained a sealed amendment.
Everything Howard personally owned outside the company was left to Liam.
Liam read it once.
Then handed it to Miriam.
“Sell it.”
“What do you want done with the money?”
May you like
Liam answered immediately.
“Build something with my mother’s name on it.”
