Chapter 13 - WHAT THE MONEY COULDN'T BUY
The investigation lasted months.
Victor Hale was arrested.
Elena testified.
The financial records exposed a network much larger than anyone expected.
Employees received restitution.
Executives resigned.
Several criminal cases followed.
And Clare's father was finally cleared of every suspicion that had followed his name after his death.
But none of that was what changed Clare's life most.
It was Daniel.
He no longer ate alone.
Every Sunday, he came to Clare's apartment.
Sometimes they cooked.
Sometimes they ordered pizza.
Sometimes Lily made them watch movies Daniel hated.
One evening, Clare found Daniel sitting at the kitchen table staring at the little orange card.
DANIEL — OUR TABLE.
"You still have it."
He looked up.
"Of course."
"You've carried that around for months."
"Years, eventually."
Clare smiled.
"Years?"
"If Lily allows it."
Lily appeared from the hallway.
"I allow it."
Daniel laughed.
Clare sat across from him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why did you really come to that diner?"
Daniel's smile faded.
"Because it was my wife's birthday."
Clare's heart softened.
"She died around Thanksgiving?"
"November twenty-third."
Clare reached across the table.
"I'm sorry."
"I used to think grief meant remembering."
"And now?"
"Now I think it means learning how to live without forgetting."
Clare squeezed his hand.
Daniel looked at her.
"She would have liked you."
Clare smiled.
"I think I would have liked her."
He leaned closer.
"And I think she would have liked Lily."
"Everyone likes Lily."
"She has that effect."
From the hallway came Lily's voice.
"I can hear you!"
They laughed.
Daniel looked at Clare.
"I've spent three years thinking the best part of my life was behind me."
Clare's eyes met his.
"And now?"
"Now I'm not so sure."
He reached across the table.
Their fingers intertwined.
Then Lily appeared holding another orange card.
"Oh no," Daniel said.
She placed it in front of him.
"What's this?"
"Our anniversary."
Daniel laughed.
"We're not married."
"Yet."
Clare nearly dropped her glass.
"Lily!"
The girl grinned.
Daniel looked at Clare.
May you like
Neither spoke.
But neither let go of the other's hand.
