Eight months later, Connor pleaded guilty to fraud, forgery, and misuse of corporate funds. He received five years in prison and an order to pay restitution. Alyssa accepted a lesser sentence after testifying, lost her contracts, and declared bankruptcy. Lucas sought custody rights and prepared to support his son. Betsyโs condo, purchased with stolen money, was seized. She moved into a small rental and discovered that society friends rarely answer calls from disgraced people.
I became chairwoman of Crest Medical Systems and created the Brinley Hardy Fellowship for women entering biomedical engineering. On its opening morning, Brinley took her first steps across my office carpet.
I knelt with my arms open while sunlight poured through the windows. She fell against me, laughing.
Connor had demanded a son to preserve his name. My daughter carried mine, and she made it worth remembering.
THE END.