Chapter 11
Galen chose not to make Eira the centerpiece.
That disappointed several relatives who wanted every detail exposed.
It also angered Nolan.
Without Eira’s therapy records being circulated, Nolan believed the case against them would remain arguable.
Rebecca disagreed.
They did not need a public spectacle.
They needed boundaries, financial accountability, employment consequences, and a documented family record.
Still, the twist damaged more than Galen expected.
Margaret offered to resign.
“I helped her.”
“You followed instructions.”
“I watched Eira cry.”
Galen looked at her.
“So did I.”
Margaret’s eyes lifted.
That was the part Galen could no longer avoid.
He had believed Ainsley because believing her was convenient.
He was grieving.
Working.
Trying to keep Sofia’s absence from swallowing the household.
When Ainsley said Eira needed fewer reminders, Galen had accepted the explanation because it allowed him to believe somebody else knew what to do.
Teresa was less forgiving.
“You weren’t just busy.”
Galen looked at his aunt.
“You hate conflict inside the family.”
He almost laughed.
People outside the family feared Galen Moretti.
Inside it, he had spent years avoiding emotional conversations he could not control.
Sofia had known that.
Ainsley had learned it.
Nolan had profited from it.
The truth also did not automatically solve the renovation dispute.
Vale Heritage had spent money.
Subcontractors wanted payment.
Some architectural work had been legitimately performed.
Rebecca warned Galen that canceling Nolan’s company without negotiating those obligations could create a separate lawsuit.
Ainsley still had her own legal complaint over the slap.
And none of that answered whether she would ever admit what she had done.
Then Ainsley requested a meeting.
Not through Galen.
Through Dr. Levin.
She wanted Hannah present.
Rebecca immediately objected.
Hannah refused to act as mediator.
Eventually everyone agreed on Rebecca’s office with separate attorneys.
Ainsley had finally decided to talk.
May you like
The question was whether she wanted accountability—
or one last chance to control the story.
