I wish I could make him see that he has always had a place in this family.
But love cannot force someone to become the person they need to be.
If Willow Creek ever becomes a place where families can begin again, I hope you will understand why I wanted it protected.
You were a little girl when I last saw you.
I remember you sitting beside the lake, asking whether the water belonged to anyone.
I told you that nobody owned the water.
We simply borrowed the land for a little while.
Please remember that.
With love,
Eleanor.
Marcus lowered the letter.
Rebecca was crying.
"She remembered me," she whispered.
Marcus nodded.
"Of course she did."
Rebecca wiped her cheeks.
"My father never told me she wrote to me."
Marcus looked at the letter again.
Suddenly, the dispute over Willow Creek seemed much more complicated.
It wasn't simply about ownership.
It was about whether the family could honor Eleanor's wishes without repeating the mistakes that had divided them.
That evening, Marcus called a family meeting.
Samuel, Vanessa, Olivia, and Rebecca gathered around the dining table.
He placed the property agreement in the center.
"We have a decision to make."
Samuel looked at him.
"What decision?"
Marcus explained the beneficiary clause.
Olivia read the document carefully.
"If Rebecca is legally entitled to a share, we need to respect that."
Vanessa nodded.
"We should speak with the attorney before making assumptions."
Samuel remained quiet.
Rebecca looked uncomfortable.
"I don't want anyone fighting over this."
Marcus turned toward her.
"Nobody is going to fight over it."
"But my father—"
"Your father has made his choices. You don't have to make the same ones."
Rebecca looked down.
Marcus continued.
"Your grandfather's agreement exists for a reason. We need to understand it before doing anything else."
Samuel finally spoke.
"Your mother wanted this property to help people. That is what matters."
Olivia looked at him.
"Then perhaps the answer is to make sure everyone who has a legitimate interest in the property is represented."
Marcus nodded.
He picked up the telephone and called Thomas Reed.
Within minutes, the attorney agreed to review the documents.
But before the meeting ended, Marcus made one final decision.
He would visit Richard.
Not because he had forgotten what happened.
Not because he was ready to forgive him.
But because he wanted to hear the truth directly from the man who had caused so much damage.
Richard was sitting beside the hospital window when Marcus entered.
He looked older.
His face was thinner, and his movements were slower.
For a moment, Marcus saw the uncle who used to take him fishing as a child.
The man who had bought him his first bicycle.
The man who had taught him how to drive.
Then he remembered the recordings.
The fraudulent accounts.
The threats against Eleanor.
And the years of manipulation.
Richard looked up.
"Marcus."
"Hello, Uncle."
Richard attempted to smile.
"I didn't think you'd come."
"I almost didn't."
Marcus pulled out a chair.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Richard looked toward the window.
"I suppose your father told you everything."
"Enough."
Richard sighed.
"Your father has always been good at telling stories in which he looks like the hero."
Marcus shook his head.
"I'm not here to defend him."
"Then why are you here?"
"To ask you one question."
Richard looked at him.
"Go ahead."
"Why did you do it?"
Richard looked confused.
"Do what?"
"Everything. The money. The lies. The threats. Turning me against my father."
Richard's expression hardened.
"You don't understand what it was like."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Then explain it."
Richard looked at his hands.
"I spent my entire life being compared to Samuel."
He swallowed.
"Your grandfather believed your father was destined for success. He trusted him with the company. He listened to him. He respected him."
"And you?"
"I was always the disappointment."
Marcus remained quiet.
Richard continued.
"When Samuel made a mistake, everyone called it a learning experience. When I made one, everyone treated it like proof that I was worthless."
Marcus looked at him.
"So you decided to steal from him?"
Richard closed his eyes.
"I thought I deserved something."
"You deserved a chance. You didn't deserve to destroy other people's lives."
Richard looked away.
"I know."
It was the first time Marcus had heard his uncle admit anything.
Then Richard said something unexpected.
"Your mother tried to help me."
Marcus stiffened.
"How?"
"She visited me after your grandfather died. She told me I didn't have to compete with Samuel. She said I could still build a life of my own."
Richard's eyes filled.
"I hated her for saying that."
Marcus stared.
"Why?"
"Because she was right."
The room became quiet.
Richard covered his face.
"I knew what I was doing. I knew the money wasn't mine. I knew Grace had discovered everything. And I knew Eleanor was becoming suspicious."
He lowered his hands.
"I was afraid."
Marcus looked at him.
"Did you threaten my mother?"
Richard nodded.
"Yes."
"Did you threaten Grace?"
Richard hesitated.
"I wanted her to stay quiet."
"That isn't what I asked."
Richard looked down.
"Yes."
Marcus felt anger rising inside him.
But he forced himself to remain seated.
"Why?"
Richard's voice broke.
"Because I was afraid of losing everything."
Marcus stood.
"You nearly destroyed my father. You made me believe he had abandoned my mother. You used my grief to get what you wanted."
Richard began crying.
"I know."
Marcus looked at him for a long moment.
"I don't know if I can forgive you."
Richard nodded.
"I wouldn't expect you to."
Marcus moved toward the door.
Then Richard spoke again.
"Marcus."
He turned.
"Rebecca doesn't know everything."
Marcus frowned.
"What else?"
Richard struggled to sit up.
"Your grandfather didn't leave that property to Eleanor alone."