Chapter 15 - The Lowest Point
The hearing went badly.
Estelle's lawyers attacked the copy of Thomas's amendment.
No original.
No automatic authentication.
The recorder faced evidentiary objections.
The judge refused to make a final trust ruling.
Christopher's suspension remained.
Emma's enhanced voting rights stayed frozen.
Estelle had won time.
That evening, Christopher sat alone in the apartment kitchen.
Naomi found him there.
“I failed her.”
“No.”
“I knew my family was dangerous before the pool.”
“You didn't know this.”
“I knew enough.”
Naomi remained silent.
That was worse than reassurance.
Christopher covered his face.
“Rachel trusted me.”
“Yes.”
“I failed her too.”
“Yes.”
He looked up.
Naomi's expression was not cruel.
It was honest.
“But failing someone once does not require you to fail them forever.”
Christopher stared at her.
Then Emma appeared in the doorway.
She was holding Rachel's old photograph.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Can we leave?”
“Leave where?”
“This family.”
Christopher almost broke.
He went to her.
She whispered:
“I don't want the big house.”
May you like
He hugged her.
“Neither do I.”
