Chapter 20 - No Locked Doors
One year later, the old Vega executive floor was almost unrecognizable.
The private dining room was gone.
The locked board suite was gone.
In their place was a childcare center for employees working late shifts.
Ava hated the proposed name.
"The Vega Family Center sounds like a bank."
"What would you call it?" Emilio asked.
"Bunny House."
"No."
She laughed.
That sound was the real victory.
The company survived.
Smaller.
Cleaner.
Employee representatives held board seats.
Independent auditors reviewed public contracts.
Ava's money sat in a protected portfolio no guardian could touch.
Rafael sold the mansion and bought a smaller house.
Elena moved nearby.
Marcus returned to work only after Emilio forced him to take vacations.
Voss and Shaw were convicted.
Rowan would never leave prison.
Calvin wrote three letters.
Emilio never answered.
Tessa wrote one apology to Ava.
Emilio gave it unopened to Ava's therapist.
If Ava ever wanted it, the choice would be hers.
On the anniversary of Lucia's death, Emilio took Ava to Point Dume.
They watched the ocean strike the cliffs.
"Do you miss Mommy every day?" Ava asked.
"Yes."
"Even when you're happy?"
"Especially then sometimes."
She thought about that.
"I used to think being brave meant not crying."
"What do you think now?"
"Telling somebody when you're scared."
Emilio smiled.
"You're smarter than me."
"I know."
They started back toward the car.
Halfway there, Ava stopped.
"Next birthday, no fancy party."
"Deal."
"No ice sculptures."
"Definitely."
"And no locked doors."
Emilio squeezed her hand.
"No locked doors."
He thought about the service door at the gala.
The hidden room.
The yacht cabin.
The office safe.
All the places adults had used doors to hide fear, greed, and lies.
Then Ava pulled him forward.
"Come on, Dad. We're late for dinner."
He followed.
Behind them was the empire he had almost lost his daughter trying to protect.
May you like
Ahead of them was home.
For the first time, Emilio knew which one mattered.
