Chapter 26

To say Lacey was shocked would have been an understatement. First of all, if the nurse had no idea Blake had pulled the plug and his grandmother remained quiet about what had really happened, then how did the rumor of Blake killing his father get started?

Second, Blake hadn’t murdered his ill father for the company. He had wanted his father to return to work so he could be at Alden with him.

And third, Lacey was appalled that Blake’s father put him in that position. In his selfish request and goading, he put a burden on Blake that he had to carry for the rest of his life.

“You do believe me, don’t you?” Blake asked hesitantly.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I just . . . can’t believe your father put you in that position.”

Blake looked down at his now empty champagne glass. “He did what he had to do – in his mind. Not only had I figured out later he . . . goaded me into stopping his ventilator I also figured out that he would have don