The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Let's go. I'll take you out to dinner," Casper said.

Gary followed behind him. "Have you thought about what's going to happen to Cody?"

Casper shrugged. "Why should I?"

"He's your only son. If you don't bring him back, are you really going to let our family line die out just like that?" Gary asked.

Casper's gaze settled on the streetlights and the thinning crowd, an unexpected sense of calm washing over him. "Isn't this exactly what you were hoping for?"

Once they stepped inside the restaurant, he passed the menu to Julia. "Take a look and decide what you'd like to order."

Julia picked a starter. "We never thought Ruby would lie to us!"

Casper leaned back, crossed his legs, and echoed, "You never thought Ruby would lie to you?"

Who would've

you thought I'd betrayed her with Jessica, why didn't you look into it? Or

laugh. "Dad, you've built your entire career on being careful. How could you be so

looked into Ruby's claims sooner, they might have

it and ended up

Jessica horribly.

still gnawed at Casper. He'd failed her, too, refusing to stand by her unconditionally, even though he knew full well that Julia and Gary were at

Gary hesitated. "I'm sorry."

asked, "What does 'sorry' even mean at this point? Jessica hates you. So does Cody. You called her a gold-digger, but she's

is about ensuring he has a better life. She's not perfect, but

and Cody after work. Their bond was unshakable. Cody's guarded demeanor only

Cody coming back just because we want him to. You need to understand that," Casper said with a tone of

let him call another man