Lily processed this with the terrible simplicity of childhood. That's a long time to sleep. Yes, baby, it is. The service lasted 2 hours. Speaker after speaker took the podium.
Business partners praising Victoria's Vision employees, thanking her for opportunities, a senator calling her a titan of American industry. Not one of them mentioned her laugh. Not one of them mentioned the way she tilted her head when she was thinking, or how she always carried mints in her pocket, or how she cried when she talked about the daughter she'd lost. None of them had known her. Not really.
When it was over, Daniel tried to slip out the side door, but a hand caught his elbow. Mr. Carter, he turned. William Bradford stood behind him, looking even grayer than he had two days ago. The reading of the will is tomorrow at 9:00, Bradford said quietly. I need you there.
I told you I don't want the company. It's not about what you want. It's about what Victoria wanted. Bradford glanced at Lily, who was staring at a stained glass window depicting an angel. And there are things in that will that concern your daughter.
Things you need to hear. Daniel wanted to argue. He wanted to walk out of this church and never look back. But Victoria's letter was folded in his pocket, her unfinished sentence burning against his chest. Fine, I'll be there.
Bradford nodded and disappeared into the crowd. Daniel took Lily's hand and headed for the door, but another voice stopped him. You must be Daniel Carter. A woman stood in the aisle, blocking his path. She was tall, dark-haired with Victoria's cheekbones and Victoria's eyes, but softer somehow, less guarded.
She looked like she'd been crying for days. "Who are you, Rachel Coleman?" She extended her hand. "Victoria's sister." Daniel stared at her. "Victoria didn't have a sister." "Victoria didn't have a sister, she talked about," Rachel corrected. "There's a difference.
Her eyes dropped to Lily and something flickered across her face. Recognition pain longing. And you must be Lily. Lily pressed against Daniel's leg. How do you know my name?
Victoria told me about you. Rachel crouched down to Lily's level. She said you were the most beautiful girl in the world. She said you like dinosaurs and drawing and chocolate chip cookies. Miss Victoria gave me cookies.
Lily said softly. Every time she visited. I know, sweetheart. She told me that, too. Rachel's voice cracked.
She loved giving you those cookies. It made her so happy. Daniel pulled Lily closer. What do you want? Rachel stood.
I want to talk about Victoria, about what she was trying to tell you. She glanced around at the thinning crowd. Not here. somewhere private tonight if possible. Why should I trust you? Because I have answers, Mr. Carter.
Answers you need. Rachel reached into her purse and pulled out a small leather journal. Victoria kept diaries for years. She sent me the last one a week before she died along with a letter asking me to give it to you if anything happened to her. Daniel's heart stopped.