Maybe part of me always will.
He manipulated my marriage.
Used Caroline.
Used Alex.
Used me.
And indirectly placed Sophie in terrible danger.
Good intentions do not erase unforgivable choices.
That became the lesson connecting every man in our family's story.
Alex tried to protect us through lies.
My father tried to create justice through manipulation.
Jake called control love.
Caroline called violence family loyalty.
Different motives.
Same poison.
They all believed wanting a particular outcome gave them the right to decide for somebody else.
Sophie understood that better than anyone.
Two years after the night she appeared at my door, we established the Mercer-Brooks Restitution Foundation.
We didn't keep the fortune.
Teams of forensic accountants and lawyers traced victims and families affected by the property and financial networks.
Homes were returned.
Debts cleared.
Settlements paid.
Survivors compensated.
Melissa Grant became one of the foundation's victim advocates.
The first time she and Sophie met, neither woman knew what to say.
