They left the estate before dawn.

Manuel drove.

Rosalie sat beside him holding the files against her chest.

Neither spoke for several minutes.

Finally Manuel said:

“I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“I married you because I needed money.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t know what your father was doing.”

“I know that too.”

He glanced at her.

“Do you hate me?”

Rosalie looked through the window.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you were the first person who looked at me without pity.”

He smiled sadly.

“I should have looked harder.”

Rosalie reached for his hand.

He hesitated.

Then she held it.

They drove directly to the bank.

The safety-deposit box opened.

Inside was a sealed envelope.

A handwritten letter.

Rosalie recognized her mother’s handwriting immediately.

She opened it.

Rosalie,

If you’re reading this, your father failed to destroy the truth.

He will tell you that my death was an accident.

It wasn’t.

I discovered that Emmett had been stealing from the family trust for years.

When I confronted him, he threatened me.

I tried to leave.

He stopped me.

Rosalie’s hands trembled.

She continued reading.

I know I may not survive.

But I have hidden the evidence where he will never look.

The original trust belongs to you.

Not your father.

You.

Rosalie looked at Manuel.

“My mother left everything to me.”

He nodded.

“And your father has been stealing from you your entire life.”

She closed her eyes.

Then the bank manager entered.

“There is one more item.”

He placed a small envelope on the table.

“This was added to the box twelve years ago.”

Rosalie opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

Her mother was standing beside another man.

A man Manuel recognized.

He stared at the picture.

“That’s impossible.”

“What?”

“That man is my father.”

Rosalie looked at him.

“What?”

Manuel turned the photograph over.

Written on the back were six words:

Your father knew the truth too.

Part 6 — The Connection

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