Chapter 23
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Emily took the heavy envelope from Nathan, her hands perfectly steady. She didn't feel the old, familiar spike of adrenaline or the sickening dread that used to accompany any communication from Daniel. She simply felt a profound sense of finality.
She opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of formal, legal stationary. It was a drafted letter of support for early parole, pre-written by Daniel’s attorney, requiring only Emily’s signature at the bottom. Attached to it was a handwritten sticky note from Daniel himself.
“I gave you Thorne. I kept my end of the bargain. Sign the paper, Emily. It’s the least you can do for an old friend.”
Emily stared at the arrogant scrawl. Even now, sitting in a federal prison cell, Daniel believed the world operated purely on transactional manipulation. He believed that because his bitter desire for revenge against Thorne had coincidentally helped Clearview, he was somehow entitled to her forgiveness and her complicity in his release.
"What does it say?" Nathan asked gently, standing close by her side, offering silent support.
Emily handed the letter and the note to Nathan. He read them quickly, his jaw tightening with disgust.
"He actually thinks he earned a pardon because he wanted to punish his old accomplice," Nathan scoffed, tossing the papers onto the desk. "Are you going to respond?"
"Yes," Emily said, walking over to her desk and pulling out a crisp piece of Clearview letterhead. "But not in the way he expects. I am going to end this conversation permanently."
She picked up her favorite pen and wrote a brief, uncompromising response.
“Daniel,
Your information was helpful in dismantling a corrupt empire, but it was an act of vengeance, not an act of contrition. Clearview does not negotiate with abusers, and I do not owe you my peace. I will not endorse your release, today or ever. Do not contact this foundation again.
Emily Whitmore-Hayes.”
She folded the letter, placed it into a new envelope, and sealed it firmly.
"I'll have Robert send this directly to the parole board along with a formal cease-and-desist order for his attorney," Emily said, handing the envelope to Nathan. "I want it on the official public record that neither I, nor this foundation, support his release in any capacity."
May you like
Nathan smiled, a look of immense love and respect in his eyes. He took the envelope and kissed her forehead.
"I'll take care of it right now," Nathan promised. "He is officially a ghost, Emily. He can't touch you ever again."
