“I talked with the school. Convinced them Kennedy was struggling due to her dad . . . Baines’s death. She’s attending classes via video.” He took a long sip of coffee before continuing, “I guess that’s the benefit of a shockingly expensive boarding school.”

He’d handled a responsibility she’d missed. Through all the unburdening and anger, secret sharing, and careful conversations, she’d failed to do simple mother things. “Thank you for taking care of it.”

“Kennedy was under the mistaken impression she could come home, be pissed at you, pout, and watch videos and movies all day.” Liam sounded very much like a father in that moment.

“Like any smart teen would.” Gabby couldn’t fault her daughter for having kid priorities. “In my guilt-ridden state, I might have let her.”

Liam stood there, frozen. He stared into his mug and didn’t say anything. A few seconds passed before he made a sound that came out like “well” and started walking out of the kitchen again.

She needed him to stay. Wanted him to. “Liam . . .”

He shook his head. “Not yet, Gabby. The only words I have are profane and terrible. I fear if I say them, I’ll never be able to call them back.”

Old habits like completing each other’s thoughts and diving into a conversation midthought remained. She hadn’t had to explain the hesitance in her voice because he knew. “I want you to be a part of her life.”

“I already am, and I intend to continue to be.” The firmness of his voice suggested he’d made some decisions even though he hadn’t filled her in yet. “With or without your approval.”

“Right.”

“Shit.” He blew out a long breath. “I’m not trying to be a—”

“You’re not being anything but honest, and I appreciate it. I just want us to get to a point where we can talk about what happened and why I did it.” She hadn’t strayed into babbling, but she was right on the edge. A little push and words and worries would come rushing out. “I mean, in more depth.”

“If you’re looking for forgiveness . . .”

“Well, yeah. I admit it. I want that, but I get that it might not happen.” Before he could say no way in hell or whatever he planned to shoot back to her, she switched topics. “This is for you.”

“The bid you found.” He flipped through the pages.

“Does it help explain the financial issues you’re worried about?” When he glanced up, she saw a question in his expression. “What? You can tell me. Unless you think I was in on whatever Baines was doing.”

“From the initial investigation, it looks like he took money from the company, using fake invoices, and moved it through a series of shell companies registered in the Cayman Islands.”

“To hide assets from me in the divorce?”