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Her stomach formed a solid lump inside of her “You received some photos then” It wasn’t a question; it was merely confirmation of what she’d expected
He visibly sed, his hands curling into fists “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Were you ashah to cup her cheeks “Please tellus after the attack You have nothing to be asha” Tears strea through that alone Why didn’t the hospital call us? Or the police?”
“I wouldn’t let them They wanted to, but it seemed like the best decision at the time” Rachel sed hard “I’o And I wasn’t asha to…”
She looked at Harvard, hoping he had the right words because so to protect thes worse
“Soed him into the conversation, “the shock from a trauma can last for years A person can withdraw and make decisions that they wouldn’t usually ot past it, she didn’t want to open old wounds Which is ould have happened if she’d told y
ou”
Her father’s anger focused on Harvard “But you knew You knew hter was…attacked, and you didn’t tell me You knehen I didn’t”
Harvardcal up e arrived at TayFor”
With a curse, her father rested his head back against his pillows “Blackmail” His eyes scrunched shut “That explains the note with the photos”
“What note? You didn’t mention a note And blackaze went to each of theh it all, she continued to pet her and touch her, as thoughto soothe away all the hurts that had happened so very long ago “Why would someone blackmail Rachel?” Silent tears fell “And with this? Who could do such a thing? Wasn’t the assault enough? What sort of sick ain? I don’t understand” She looked at Rachel for answers
But there were none to give All Rachel could do was pull her mother back into her arms “I know you don’t, Mu, and I thought I had control of the situation”
“And you were protecting us,” her father said gruffly
Rachel’s eyes caught his, and she saw co in them
His jaw clenched tight for a second “You knew they’d use those photos to bring down TayFor They threatened you with a scandal, didn’t they? And you chose to protect the company, and us” His face crumpled “Don’t you know that you’re worth far le silent tear ran down his aged cheek