“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you tell the truth with your face.”
I stared at him.
“You were nineteen.”
“You loved everyone.”
“You still do.”
“That isn’t a compliment right now.”
“I know.”
I stepped back.
Rain dripped through the wooden boards above us.
“What does Garrett have to do with this?”
Tobias looked toward the shore.
“Everything.”
My stomach turned.
“Garrett’s family has been trying to take control of Mercer Marine for fifteen years.”
“He didn’t marry you for love.”
I closed my eyes.
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Rosalind.”
“He loved me.”
Tobias’s expression changed.
“He watched you drown.”
That ended the argument.
I looked toward the river.
The SUV had disappeared completely.
Only bubbles remained.
On shore, Garrett had his arm around Penelope.
She kissed his cheek.
Then they walked toward a parked car.
Together.
I turned back.
“Why today?”
Tobias took a breath.
“Because of the shareholder vote tomorrow.”
I froze.
Mercer Marine’s board was scheduled to vote on a major restructuring.
Garrett had pushed for it for months.
If approved, a new holding company would absorb most of our operating assets.
I had resisted.
Tobias had refused to sign anything.
Because he was legally considered partially incapacitated, several of his voting rights required trustee confirmation.
Mine.
“If we both died…”
I could barely finish.
Tobias nodded.
“Penelope becomes the closest surviving family shareholder.”
My stomach dropped.
