The night air was thick with tension.

I stood barefoot in Daddy’s office, heart hammering so hard I could hear it in my ears. The distant hum of a boat engine grew louder steady, relentless, coming closer to the north cove.

Daddy was pacing like a wild animal, phone clutched in his hand. His face was a mask of pure rage.

“Daniel Harrington,” he hissed the name like a curse. “That smug bastard your mother hired. He’s been circling like a vulture for years. Sending secret messages to Reynolds. Offering money. Promising to ‘rescue’ you.”

He stopped pacing and stormed toward me, grabbing my face with both hands.

“You think...