Not safer.

Different.

Emily had rewritten half the household procedures.

Victoria entered Santino's office carrying coffee.

“You've created a monster.”

Santino looked up.

“Emily?”

“She fired my florist.”

From the adjoining desk Emily said, “Your florist charged six thousand dollars for arrangements worth twelve hundred.”

Victoria pointed at her.

“See?”

Emily continued typing.

“You're welcome.”

Victoria tried not to smile.

Failed.

Enzo remained with the family, although he had stepped down from managing financial records.

One afternoon he approached Emily.

“I owe you an apology.”

“Several.”

“Yes.”

She waited.

“I should have told you about your father.”

“Yes.”

“I thought secrecy would protect you.”

“It didn't.”

“No.”

Emily studied him.

“But you helped him.”

“I tried.”

She nodded.

“Then start with that.”

It wasn't forgiveness.

Not yet.

But it was a beginning.

Keene's financial scheme collapsed under the evidence Daniel had preserved. Attorneys and investigators took over.

Daniel Taylor's name was formally cleared within the company.

Santino ordered every internal accusation against him withdrawn.

Emily objected to one thing.

The money.

Santino placed a compensation agreement on her desk.

She pushed it back.

“No.”

“It isn't charity.”

“Still no.”

“Your father's company suffered because of us.”

“Because of Keene.”

“Under my family's name.”

Emily studied him.

“What happens if I refuse?”

“I'll argue.”

“For how long?”

“As long as necessary.”

She sighed.

“Fine. One condition.”

Santino waited.

“Put half into a fund for employees who get caught in company misconduct they didn't cause.”

He stared at her.

“You're negotiating my apology?”

“Yes.”

A slow smile appeared.

“Done.”

That evening, they sat beside the same pool where they had met.

Santino looked at the water.

“You haven't gone swimming since.”

Emily frowned.

“Neither have you.”

“I have an excuse.”

“So do I. My shoes were destroyed.”

He laughed.

Emily smiled.

It was the first time she had heard him laugh without restraint.

Then Santino became serious.

“Emily.”

“Yes?”

“You don't have to stay.”

Her smile disappeared.

“The investigation is finished. Your father is cleared.”

“You're firing me?”

“No.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m saying you came here looking for answers.”

“And?”

“You found them.”

He paused.

“I don't want you staying because you think you owe me something.”

Emily walked closer.

“You really don't understand me, do you?”

“Apparently not.”

“I don't do things because I'm told to.”

“I noticed.”

“I stayed because I wanted to.”

Santino looked up at her.

“And tomorrow?”

Emily smiled.

“Ask me tomorrow.”