Chapter 1
# THE LETTER HE FOUND FIVE YEARS TOO LATE
The continuation and final ending
## PART 2 — THE TRUTH THAT STOLE FIVE YEARS
“He said you were a distraction,” Diana Prescott had told her.
Laurel remembered every word.
“He said whatever you imagined between you was nothing more than kindness. My son has responsibilities, Laurel. He cannot spend his life rescuing every lonely girl who mistakes attention for love.”
Laurel had stood at the service entrance, holding the strap of her suitcase so tightly that her fingers ached.
“Did he really say that?”
Diana had looked directly into her eyes.
“Would you like me to repeat it?”
Laurel had shaken her head.
Then Diana had reached into her handbag and produced a white envelope.
“Five thousand dollars. Enough to help you start over.”
Laurel had stepped backward.
“I don't want your money.”
“Then consider it a farewell gift.”
“I loved your son.”
For the first time, Diana's expression had changed.
Not with sympathy.
With disgust.
“That's precisely the problem.”
Laurel had walked away without taking the envelope.
For five years, she had believed Lucas had read her letter and chosen silence.
And Lucas had believed she had sold their love for fifty thousand dollars.
Neither knew the truth.
Until Monday.
Lucas arrived at the Prescott estate just after seven that evening.
His mother was hosting a private dinner for six members of the company's board.
Crystal glasses glittered beneath the chandeliers. A pianist played softly in the drawing room.
Diana Prescott looked up when her son entered.
“Lucas. You're late.”
He didn't remove his coat.
“Did Laurel Benton ask you for fifty thousand dollars?”
The room went silent.
Diana's smile remained perfectly arranged.
“Excuse me?”
“Five years ago. The morning after Dad's funeral. You told me Laurel demanded money to leave.”
“Lucas, we have guests.”
“Did she?”
One of the directors slowly set down his wineglass.
Diana rose.
“Everyone, would you excuse us?”
Lucas followed her into his father's old study.
The moment the door closed, Diana turned.
“What on earth is wrong with you?”
He placed the letter on the desk.
Her face changed.
It was subtle.
A tightening around the mouth.
A brief glance toward the envelope.
But Lucas saw it.
“You recognize this.”
Diana said nothing.
“It was inside my funeral suit.”
“Lucas—”
“She asked me to meet her at the station.”
His voice cracked.
“She told me she loved me.”