Chapter 19 - THE APRON
Alexander almost threw the apron away.
Instead, he asked Sofia.
"What do you want me to do with it?"
"Can we cut it?"
He handed her scissors.
Sofia cut the apron into strips.
Not angrily.
Carefully.
They used the fabric to stuff a small pillow for the animal shelter's dog beds.
Sofia liked that idea.
"Something bad can become something soft."
"Sometimes."
Not always.
He had learned not to turn pain into a motivational speech.
Some things were just wrong.
Peter Ashford pleaded guilty to murder.
Charles pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud.
Martin received reduced time for cooperation, but not freedom.
Samuel Price lost his law license and served a sentence for obstruction.
Sterling Holdings paid enormous fines.
Several directors resigned.
Alexander sold two divisions that had depended on Victor's corrupt relationships.
The company became smaller.
Cleaner.
Sofia started using the last name Sterling-Reyes.
Her choice.
Alexander did not adopt her.
He didn't need to.
The court recognized paternity.
The rest had to be built.
He attended school meetings.
Learned she hated peas.
Learned she loved astronomy.
Learned that if he raised his voice unexpectedly, she went quiet.
So he worked on that.
One Sunday, Elise brought Ethan for a short meeting.
The boy stood in the garden with his hands in his pockets.
Alexander did not hug him.
He said, "Hi."
Ethan said, "Hi."
Sofia immediately asked if he liked pizza.
He did.
That helped.
Later, Ethan asked Alexander privately, "Did Victor hate us?"
Alexander thought carefully.
"I think he loved control more than he knew how to love people."
"Is that the same as hate?"
"No."
"Is it better?"
"Not much."
Before leaving, he said, "Maybe we can talk again."
"I'd like that."
"Dad?"
It was the first time she had called him that without fear, panic, or pain attached to it.
Just Dad.
"Yeah?"
"I need your signature."
May you like
Alexander reached for a pen.
And laughed.
