Marcus would deal with his losses privately and in his own time.

When he was with Lily and rebuilding her life, there was room for one priority only.

Her.

Chapter 20 — I Knew You Would Come Back

The months that followed were much less dramatic than anyone might have expected.

For Lily, that quietness was a blessing.

There were no confrontations outside school.

No screaming arguments at the front door.

Instead, there were depositions, forensic audits, medical evaluations, meetings with attorneys, and the slow, ordinary movement of the law.

Meanwhile, Marcus did something he considered even more important.

He restructured the trust governing the Vineyard property.

An independent board of co-trustees was created, including Evelyn and an impartial court-appointed fiduciary.

From then on, no single person—not even Marcus himself—could make major changes affecting Lily’s inheritance without additional layers of oversight.

When Victoria asked why he would voluntarily reduce his own authority, Marcus answered simply.