That frightened me.
Daniel continued.
“You accused me of wanting your money. You told me I had spent my entire life waiting for you to fail.”
I looked away.
“I remember saying that.”
“Do you remember apologizing?”
No.
He gave a small, sad laugh.
“You did.”
That was worse somehow.
Daniel leaned forward.
“I should have waited for the second evaluation. I know that. I thought if I waited and something happened, I would never forgive myself.”
“Something like what?”
“You signing away half the company. Falling alone. Making a decision you couldn’t reverse.”
“So you wanted the power to reverse everything for me.”
“I wanted time.”
“That is not what full guardianship gives you.”
“I know that now.”
I studied him.
For weeks, I had imagined Daniel celebrating behind closed doors.
Instead, he looked as trapped by the process as I felt.
“Why Vanessa?” I asked.
“She approached me.”
