I had no answers that wouldn’t sound juvenile. I was a selfish person. I wanted my daughter, and that was reason enough. These are the truths you can’t say aloud. Most of mine were.

“What do you want from me? There’s nothing I can do now.”

“You need to tell the judge. You need to start being honest.”

“They’ll arrest me. Then what?”

“You assumed the risk when you lied.”

“I’m your son.”

“And that’s why I’m asking for more from you. When Madeline is returned, she can live with me and your father until you’re released.”

“Wait…you’re serious?”

“Completely.”

“It’s not going to happen.”

“You need to consider it.”

“I won’t. Look at me,” I said, moving forward to catch the attention of her eyes, “I won’t do it.”

“Then you’re making the same mistake twice.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time, right?”

She left the room in silence, leaving the weight of the conversation behind with me. She had to know the consequences of what she was asking were beyond a prison sentence. It meant giving up my life to repent for a sin committed against someone who deserved everything she got. She wasn’t a victim in this, and I would never make myself uncomfortable on her behalf. I would never suffer for Ashley Davies.

Spencer could chase her. She could attempt to weaken her grasp on Madeline as long as she wanted. But she was doing so in vain. Because going after Ashley was going after Rebecca, and my sister…

My sister was no match for Rebecca.

I never was.