Her face had gone still.
“No.”
Andre continued carefully.
“Did you authorize her to request information about becoming co-trustee after your marriage?”
Daniel stopped breathing.
Simone shook her head.
“This is ridiculous.”
Andre ignored her.
“Daniel?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize a petition requesting an early distribution from Lily’s trust for the purchase of a family residence?”
Daniel stared.
“What?”
Simone moved toward him.
“Give me the phone.”
Daniel stepped away.
Andre continued.
“The request references a property purchase of nine hundred and forty thousand dollars.”
Daniel’s eyes locked on Simone.
She whispered:
“Let me explain.”
Andre said:
“There’s more.”
Simone’s voice sharpened.
“Andre, you’re violating confidentiality.”
“No,” Andre replied. “I’m protecting my client.”
Daniel looked toward Lily.
She sat frozen in the chair, one side of her hair hanging long, the other abruptly shortened.
He turned off speaker.
“Lily.”
She looked up.
“Can you go into Aunt Camille’s room next door?”
His sister had been dressing there earlier.
Lily tightened her grip on his hand.
“No.”
Daniel crouched.
“I’m not leaving.”
“You’re staying here?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
She studied his face.
Then nodded.
Daniel opened the connecting door.
His sister Camille was inside with two bridesmaids.
All three looked toward Lily.
Camille’s mouth fell open when she saw the hair.
Daniel said quietly:
“Stay with her.”
Camille needed no explanation.
She crossed immediately.
“Come here, baby.”
Lily hesitated.
Daniel whispered:
“I’ll be right here.”
She went.
Before the connecting door closed, Lily turned.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t marry her if she’s mad at me.”
Daniel felt something inside his chest split.
He looked at his daughter.
“This is not your fault.”
The door closed.
Daniel turned back.
Simone was crying now.
Not dramatically.
Tears stood along her lower lashes.
“Daniel.”
He lifted one hand.
“Don’t.”
“Please listen.”
“I’m going to.”
He looked toward the phone.
“Andre, I’m putting you back on speaker.”
“Okay.”
Daniel did.
“Start over.”
Andre exhaled.
“About six weeks ago, Simone called my office.”
Simone interrupted.
“I asked a question.”
Andre continued.