In the first letter, Daniel explained the ten-dollar ritual. It wasn’t a cruel joke or a method of control, as she had so long believed. Instead, it was part of a larger, intricate plan born from anxiety and fear that had taken root in the early days of their marriage. He recounted the financial struggles his parents endured and the impact it had on him growing up. The ten dollars a day was not about restricting her but rather a misguided attempt to protect her. He wanted to ensure that no matter what happened to him, Rachel and the children would never face destitution.

As Rachel continued reading, she discovered entries in the journal that chronicled Daniel’s battle with severe anxiety and depression—struggles he had hidden beneath his polished exterior. He had been too ashamed to share this vulnerable part of himself, too afraid it would taint the image of the successful man he believed he needed to be. He feared becoming a burden, so he kept her at arm’s length, not realizing the isolation it would impose on her.