How panic had set in the moment he realized what Clare was about to inherit. How he’d said he couldn’t disappear into her success, couldn’t stand by while she became everything and he remained invisible. Eleanor had called it protection. Brooke had called it dosage. Daniel was arrested that evening.
At first, he stayed composed—jaw set, posture straight, answering questions with careful restraint. It wasn’t until the door closed behind him that the mask slipped. His voice cracked. His hands trembled. He didn’t deny what he’d done. Not really.