Chapter 9 — Lucien’s Recorded Statement
The solicitor met Garrick two days later.
“Lucien asked that this remain sealed unless there was a dispute over Mireille’s residence or trust rights.”
Garrick looked down.
“There almost was.”
The solicitor nodded.
He placed a small digital archive device on the desk.
“Lucien recorded this shortly after the trust amendment.”
Garrick pressed play.
His son’s face appeared on the screen.
Healthy.
Smiling slightly.
Alive.
Garrick’s eyes immediately filled.
Lucien began:
“If you’re watching this, something has gone wrong.”
Garrick laughed through tears.
That was exactly how Lucien spoke.
Lucien continued.
“Therese and I have made one thing very clear in Mireille’s estate planning.”
“Bellgrave is part of her family history.”
“It is not a condition of belonging.”
Then Lucien looked directly toward the camera.
“Father, if you’re watching too, listen to me before you get angry.”
Garrick covered his mouth.
Lucien smiled faintly.
“I love Bellgrave.”
“I love you.”
“I also spent years believing those two loves required me to live exactly the life already prepared for me.”
“I don’t want that for Mireille.”
Garrick began crying openly.
Lucien continued.
“If she grows up and wants this house, wonderful.”
“If she wants an apartment in the city, wonderful.”
“If she wants to live halfway across the world, then complain privately and buy a plane ticket.”
Garrick laughed despite himself.
The solicitor smiled.
Then Lucien became serious.
“Do not make her responsible for your fear of being left.”
Garrick stopped laughing.
“That fear did not begin with you.”
“Grandfather gave it to you.”
“Maybe his father gave it to him.”
“Somebody has to stop handing it down.”
The recording ended.
Garrick sat motionless.
The solicitor waited.
Finally Garrick whispered:
“He understood me better than I understood myself.”
The solicitor replied:
“Children often know what their parents fear.”
Garrick nodded.
Then asked:
“Did he think I was a bad father?”
The solicitor looked surprised.
“Lucien spoke very warmly about you.”
“He also wanted a different pattern for his daughter.”
Both could be true.
Garrick was beginning to understand that sentence in many forms.
He returned home.
Then did something Therese never expected.
He called her.
Not to ask when Mireille was returning.
Not to ask whether the coast trip was finished.
He asked permission to change something at Bellgrave before her next visit.