"In nature, there are neither rewards, nor punishments; there are consequences." - Robert G. Ingersoll

"...for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health -"

It was all one big, hypocritical facade. Daniel cursed his poor judgement, for allowing the highest of Hampton's society to attend the most important day of his life. The sea of disapproval at his and Emily's legal union unnerved him but his soon-to-be wife didn't appear phased, at least. The whispers had been rife, in the few minutes prior to Emily's aisle march; how terribly sad Victoria's absence was, what the fate of Grayson Global was to be...

"FBI. Please remain seated." The ceremony screeched to an almighty halt, as a flood of officers crashed into the church and pin-pointed Conrad with their weapons. Daniel's hands were snatched from Emily's and he stampeded toward his father for an answer. "It's okay, son," Conrad provided calm assurance.

Emily instinctively scanned the audience for Nolan, who feigned ignorance at her thunderous expression. It had required months of round-the-clock work to rebuild and reassess the evidence against Conrad and Emily had delivered strict instructions not to release the exhibits to the authorities, until she and Daniel were married. Of course, in support of her childhood romance with Jack, Nolan had done the complete opposite. He was convinced it was never too late for the damned couple. Emily actively unclenched her fists and reached out for her groom, "Daniel."

The panic had thrown him back into a boy-like state. "Dad?"

"I'm sorry." Conrad could only mutter underneath his breath, and Daniel feared the apology was an admittance of guilt. "I'm so sorry, Daniel."

Flashforward

Daniel scooted forward, until his elbows could comfortably rest on the metal table, which was bolted to the cement floor. His father was roughly escorted into the cold, interrogation-style room and he slumped into the chair in front of Daniel. The prison attire matched his eyes of blue and Daniel realised their charismatic twinkle had faded. In fact, his father appeared especially frail. "It's good to see you, son."

"You asked me here."

Conrad couldn't help but scoff. "I have begged you to visit me for nineteen years, Daniel. Had I known you would only accept the invitation on my deathbed... I wouldn't have bothered until now, and perhaps I could have saved the trees." He laughed, until the vibration in his ribs could be heard and the laughter dissolved into a violent coughing fit. His body was riddled with one of life's deadliest diseases and his bones ached, since he refused all and any source of treatment. Conrad Grayson was finally ready to accept defeat. First, however, he needed to bid his family goodbye. "I assume you know why I requested you come." Daniel abruptly nodded his head, "Then, the fact that you're even here means you care."

"I'm not here for you." Daniel viciously spat, "I'm here, for my mother. I'm here for Charlotte." He leaned forward, his palms planted firmly on the table. "Because on your deathbed, I hope you're reminded of the pain you caused them." Typically, as any loved one left behind did, Daniel reminisced upon his mother and sister as the saints they never were. It didn't bode well to speak ill of the dead. That rule, however, was one he would break when his father eventually passed on. "You murdered my mother. You arranged that plane explosion, the same way you orchestrated David Clarke's death. There is no line you won't cross."

"I know..." Conrad sorrowfully whispered.

Daniel sensed the disappointment in his father's voice. "I'm sorry. Have I disappointed you? Did you think your diagnosis would shock me into forgiveness? Did you think cancer would absolve you of your crimes?" He furiously shook his head and scowled, "I lost my family because of you. But, in the nineteen years you spent here, left to rot, I was able to rebuild all of it: the Grayson family name, my Grandfather's company -"

"With Emily," Conrad wistfully completed his sentence.

"Yeah, with Emily." His son repeated, too enraged to wonder why that even mattered enough for his father to mention. "She stood by me through it all and, together, we've made Grayson Global bigger and better than ever before. We have four beautiful children, and she sure as hell never lied to me!"

Conrad's lips twitched in contemplation but, in a moment of paternal affection, he decided to spare his son any more pain at his own hands. "Well..." he smiled, "It may not mean anything to you now but I am proud of you, son." He couldn't accept the credit for Daniel's end-result but he could certainly celebrate it. He slowly rose to his feet and momentarily reformed himself to the powerful Conrad Grayson that Daniel had once emulated. "Send my best to your wife. I always did like her." Conrad chuckled; Emily was more like Victoria than either would have cared to admit. "It's a special kind of woman to pull the wool over the eyes of a Grayson."

Flashback

Emily's voice was low and cruel, frighteningly so. "You will spend eternity behind bars for your crimes. All the while, I'll be with your son and sat at your throne, and I'll have finally brought my father the justice he so-rightly deserved."

The intense shock overpowered Conrad when Emily revealed her true identity, mere hours after his conviction for murder of her father, Victoria and Lydia; and his participation in the downing of flight 197; the charges of fraud, involving Grayson Global. An undeniable respect framed his vision for the woman in front of him. "Well, well, well..." he smiled, despite himself. "Amanda Clarke."

She reflected the smile, proud of her name for the first time in years. "Any regrets?"

"Only that my dear wife suffered her final swan dive before she found out who you really were." He chuckled, insanely, "I'm sure she would have loved to be here." Emily rose from seat and prepared to depart, "Interesting..." he eyed the wedding ring, that she had flaunted since her entrance. "Your hatred for our family runs so deep that you married into it. How long until my son finally catches on to your rotten little scheme?" Emily's eyes playfully dazzled, confident Daniel would never have the intuition, nor the freewill to investigate. "Time will tell, Mrs. Grayson."

Victorious, Emily held her head high, "Goodbye Conrad."