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The Doctrine of Failure
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2025-04-04 17:03:47Beverly was the first to feel the effects.
Leonard had put her in a taxi, and she had driven a few blocks away. But then, she had asked the driver to turn back and wait a few meters from the parking lot.
She had watched as Reed and Marcus left, crossing the street arm in arm like two drunken fools. Somehow, she knew Daniel was still inside, and Leonard had left without Deanna. And there they were, holding hands again, walking to his car, getting in, and driving away together.
That same night, earlier, in her desperation to keep him from pushing her away, she had promised him it would be the last time, that she would leave his life and the company for good. Nothing had gone as expected. Now she stood alone, surrounded by people, without Daniel and without the Diva in sight. She knew exact
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When Harry finally showed up for his daughter, it was Daniel who handed her over. Deanna was too angry to see him; she felt like if she did, she’d explode. She watched him get into the car and buckle Emma into her seat through a window. A few years ago, they would’ve argued endlessly over far less than this. Now she just watched him leave.Was he really that alone? Her old college friends still messaged her, inviting her to sing or to attend one of their performances, and they always asked about him. He had walked away from everything—even old friendships.The anger faded when the heaviness set in. She had everything it took to free him from that situation. She had the words to pull him out of misery—but the consequences Laura threatened were too much. She was sure he wouldn’t choose freedom over his daughter. Otherwise, he would’ve done it long ago. But she couldn’t find peace. She had to find a way to help him. There had to be something she could do without the result being losing E
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Another morning Harry didn’t wake up at home. Another morning Emma woke up at Daniel’s place. It was becoming a habit; it seemed like the little girl lived with them, not her parents. And Laura never even picked up the phone to ask about her—she always waited for Harry to go get her.Deanna was starting to get fed up with that kind of behavior. Were things really so bad that they forgot they had a daughter? The truth was, the situation was quickly getting out of hand, and no one said a word. Not even Camila.To make matters worse, that weekend the kids were going to spend time with their maternal grandparents, which meant the girl would be left without her playmates. Deanna tried to reach Harry several times that morning, but he never answered.“I can’t believe he doesn’t even care to check on his daughter!” she said, raising her voice when another call attempt went unanswered.She was outraged—sick of them neglecting Emma like that. Daniel just looked at her, saying nothing, holding
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A Wife For My Brother Epilogue 2
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