Chapter 28 - Brooke’s Choice
Brooke was offered a reduced sentence in exchange for complete cooperation.
She surrendered every payment record, message and recording connected to Grant.
She also gave up her claim to manage the twins’ finances.
During the final custody conference, she asked for supervised visitation rather than immediate custody.
“I spent years choosing whatever protected me,” she told the judge. “For once, I want to choose what protects them.”
Arthur remained the twins’ primary caregiver under a temporary guardianship order. Grant was required to provide financial support but received no access while the criminal investigation continued.
Outside the courtroom, Brooke approached Victoria.
“I know an apology cannot repair what I did.”
“No,” Victoria replied. “It cannot.”
Brooke nodded.
“Helena contacted me before I disappeared.”
Victoria became still.
“What did she say?”
“She said Grant believed he was purchasing Meridian, but she intended to let him destroy everyone who had betrayed her.”
“Why tell you?”
“Because she knew I would understand what it meant to build several escape plans.”
Brooke handed Victoria a small key.
Helena had instructed her to place it inside the lakeside house. Brooke had kept it instead.
The number engraved on the key matched a private vault at the bank shown in the terrace photograph.
Arthur, Brooke and Grant had visited that bank six months before the pregnancy announcement.
Arthur remembered signing property documents.
Brooke remembered Grant entering a restricted elevator alone.
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The vault had not belonged to Grant.
It belonged to Eleanor Thompson.
