7: Firing Edward

Daphne's pov

Dr. Bennett's detail turned out to be an empty space.

The "full checkup" Daddy had been so smug about wasn't in the hospital system at all. He swore it had been done at a private clinic and that his office kept the paperwork. Dr. Bennett nodded politely, asked for a copy, and admitted him for the night so the remaining tests could be done properly.

I was still turning it over that afternoon when the flowers arrived before the man who brought them.

A nurse carried an enormous bouquet of white roses into the room. "These are for Mr. Alistair."

Daddy glanced up from his tablet. "Who sent them?"

She checked the card. "Mr. Edward Blackwood."

My fingers went still. The monitor's steady beeping seemed to grow louder.

Of course. Edward would never waste a chance to play the devoted almost-son-in-law. He remembered birthdays. He sent expensive gifts. He never missed an opportunity to show how much he cared about the Alistair family.

He had fooled me once.

"That's thoughtful of him," Daddy said.

"Where would you like them, sir?" the nurse asked.

"Over there, please."

She set them by the window and left. I looked away. I didn't want Edward's flowers anywhere near my father.

Twenty minutes later, the door opened.

Edward walked in with a worried frown and a small gift bag. His suit was immaculate, his hair neatly styled. He looked every inch the successful man everyone expected him to be. I knew what was underneath. A liar. A murderer. The man who had smiled at me while he planned my family's destruction.

Gavin was slouched in the corner chair with his phone. He didn't look up. "Hi, Edward," he said, in the flattest voice a fourteen-year-old could manage.

Edward went straight to the bed. "Sandra told me about your condition. I've been trying to get here since morning, but I couldn't leave an important meeting."

"I'm fine," Daddy said. "Apparently my daughter thinks I'm getting old."

Edward chuckled. "Perhaps you should listen to her. She only worries because she cares." His gaze slid to me. "Hello, sweetheart."

"Edward."

His smile widened, though something flickered behind it. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I locked my spine so I wouldn't flinch.

"Why didn't you tell me your father was in the hospital?" he asked softly.

"I didn't know you needed to be informed."

For half a second, his face changed. Then he laughed. "Still upset with me?"

Viola spoke from the sofa before I could answer. "Edward. How is your mother?"

"Very well, Mrs. Alistair. She sends her regards."

He turned back to my father. "I've spoken with the management team. Don't worry about the company. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly while you recover."

I almost laughed. There it was again: the concern, the generosity, the eagerness to take charge. In my first life, he had used exactly this to earn my father's trust. The dependable secretary. The son-in-law who never complained about late nights.

And when the time came, he had used everything he knew to take us apart.

"That's thoughtful," Daddy said.

"Of course." Edward pulled a chair beside the bed. "We're practically family."

*No,* I thought. *We aren't.*

A few minutes later, Viola stepped out to take a call, and Gavin muttered something about the vending machine and fled. Daddy's tablet chimed, and he turned to it.

I took my chance. "Daddy, can I talk to you?"

"Of course."

I looked at Edward. "Alone."

His fingers paused on the armrest. He looked between us, then smiled. "Sure. I'll find some coffee." He straightened his jacket. "Take your time."

The door closed behind him, and my shoulders came down an inch.

Daddy set the tablet aside. "What's going on?"

"I want you to fire Edward."

He stared at me. For several seconds he said nothing. Then he leaned back against his pillows. "That's quite a request."

"I know."

"May I ask why?"

I'd prepared a dozen explanations, and none of them held. I couldn't tell him Edward had murdered his family in another life. So I gave him the only truth I could.

"I don't trust him."

He studied my face. "Did something happen between you two?"

"Nothing new."

"Then why now?"

"Because he's your secretary. He has your schedules, your documents, your business dealings. I don't want him anywhere near this family."

Daddy was quiet. I moved closer. "Please."

He looked at me for a long moment. "All right."

I blinked. "What?"

"I said all right. I'll have him dismissed."

"You're agreeing?"

"Did you expect me to argue?"

"Honestly? Yes."

He chuckled. "I have no intention of arguing with my daughter from a hospital bed."

I should have been relieved. Instead, I found myself asking, "You don't want proof?"

His expression turned thoughtful. "Daphne, I've worked with Edward for three years. He's competent, I'll give him that. But I've never completely trusted him."

My heart skipped. "What?"

"There's something about that young man I never liked. I just never had enough reason to act." He reached for his water. "Your mind was made up about him, and I couldn't say no to you."

For so long I had believed Edward had fooled my father completely. I had never considered that Daddy had seen something I hadn't, and had stayed quiet because of me.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have listened?"

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

He laughed. "Exactly."

Warmth spread slowly through my chest. "Thank you, Daddy."

He took my hand. "Whatever is happening between you and Edward, you can always come to me."

I squeezed his fingers. "I know."

And this time, I meant it.

Edward came back in answer to Daddy's call, a paper cup of coffee in his hand.

"Edward, sit down," Daddy said. "I've decided to make a few changes at the company. You're no longer required as my personal secretary. Human Resources will contact you about the arrangements."

Edward's face stayed composed. "I'm sorry?"

"Your employment is terminated."

For the first time since he'd walked in, Edward had nothing ready. His gaze moved from my father to me.

"May I ask why?"

"Because I've made my decision."

Edward set the coffee on the table. "After everything I've done for this company, I honestly didn't expect it."

"Your work has been appreciated," Daddy said. "That doesn't mean the position is permanent."

A faint smile. "Of course." He stood and picked up his jacket. "I hope you recover quickly, sir."

Then he turned to me. "Shall we go home together, sweetheart?"

"No."

His smile didn't move. He leaned close enough that his voice wouldn't carry. "You'll miss me."

I looked directly into his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

A quiet laugh escaped him. He walked to the door.

On the way, his gaze drifted to the black leather briefcase beside my father's chair. It was brief. Almost nothing. It lingered for a heartbeat, then moved on.

The door shut behind him.

I'd expected anger. An argument, maybe a plea for Daddy to reconsider. Edward hadn't asked whether there was another position. He hadn't demanded an explanation or mentioned a lawyer. He had smiled and left, and that was worse.

"That was unexpected," Daddy said. "I thought he'd fight harder."

"Maybe he knows there's nothing he can do."

"Perhaps."

I picked up the medical folder from the bedside table and went to tuck it into the briefcase. My hand stopped on the clasp.

"Is there anything important in here?"

Daddy glanced over. "Just company documents. Why?"

"No reason."

I put the folder inside and set the briefcase beside his bed. It was probably nothing. Edward had worked beside my father for three years. Of course he knew which bag my father carried.

I still couldn't shake the feeling.

I walked to the window. Down in the parking lot, Edward stood beside his car with his phone against his ear. He wasn't talking. He was listening, his jaw tight, staring at the building.

Then he looked up, straight at the window, and smiled.

I stayed where I was, my hand flat against the cold glass, until his car pulled away.

Since coming back, I'd learned that the smallest details could be the difference between life and death.

I wasn't going to ignore them again.