Every time Alyssa called me a lost soul.
Every time Vivian said that Dad had only kept me out of pity.
None of that had been true.
I had spent half my life trying to become worthy of a father who had always loved me.
And he had spent those same years trying to get to me.
We were simply kept out of it.
Alyssa was crying.
She turned towards me.
“Candace.”
I looked at her.
“I didn’t know.”
” I know. “
“I believed Mom.”
” I know. “
“I was
horrible to you.”
I did not reply.
She approached.
“I thought you were taking something that belonged to me.”
I looked at her.
“You thought I was taking Dad.”
She began to cry harder.
“I was wrong.”
” Yes. “
She nodded.
“I was wrong.”
Richard stood up.
“There’s something else you both need to know.”
I looked at him.
” What ? “
“William didn’t hate Alyssa.”
Alyssa froze.
“He didn’t hate her?”
Richard shook his head.
“He loved you.”
She covered her mouth.
“Did he know?”
” Yes. “
” When ? “
“Eight years ago.”
Alyssa began to sob.
“Then why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because he believed you were his daughter in every way that matters.”
I looked at Dad’s portrait.
It was so like him.
Richard continued.
“But he also knew that Vivian was using the inheritance to control both of you.”
