She slips away quietly, shutting the door behind her, and I take a seat next to Eli's bed. He seems disoriented and anxious, and I suspect whatever they give him to help him sleep is partly to blame. But he'll have to wake up because I'm not about to leave.

"Is Ivy okay?" he asks again, desperation coloring his voice.

"I'm surprised you seem to care," I answer coldly.

"Of course, I care. She's my daughter."

"Yet, what exactly have you done for her?" I demand. "What have you done for any of your children? You left them in the care of a mother who worries more about her reputation than the welfare of her own flesh and blood. You allowed Ivy to suffer from a condition throughout her life instead of seeking the treatment she deserves. You permitted your wife to restrict Eva's food, a growing child, I might add. And you've facilitated Abel’s power to terrorize his siblings along with God knows how many others—"

"Enough." Eli's jaw rattles, and spittle flies from his mouth as his face mottles with red. "You don't get to come in here and tell me what kind of father I am."

"That's exactly what I get to do." I glare at him. "Have you forgotten who you’re speaking to?"

"I know exactly who you are," he says, his voice lowering. "And I know exactly who I am. What I meant was I don't need you to point out my shortcomings. I've had plenty of time to sit here and contemplate them myself in this prison cell of a hospital room."

His words surprise me, and when I study his face, all I see is sincerity. He isn't angry with me. He’s angry with himself. Or at least, that is what he'd like me to believe. But I've fallen for that act before, haven't I?

"I didn't come here to talk about your fatherly failings." I change tack. "I came here for answers, and I won't leave here without them."

"What answers?" He searches my face as if he really doesn't know.

I'm beginning to wonder if that cardiac arrest damaged his brain beyond all reason as well. Surely, he must know why I'm here. He must not think I am such a fool I can be dissuaded so easily.

"If what you say about your own self-reflection is true, there is something you should know before we begin," I tell him. "I have Ivy's hand in marriage, which means I can do whatever I like to her. And if that is still not enough to motivate you, I think it would benefit you to know that I am also taking over guardianship of Eva. She is at my home. Under my control. I want you to think carefully about that before you consider lying to me."

"You have Eva too?" He swallows, terror streaking through his eyes. "Whatever it is you think I've done, Santiago—"