Chapter 6: The Money Behind the Betrayal
The attorney placed the tablet on the table.
A document appeared on the screen.
At first, I didn’t understand what I was looking at.
Numbers.
Accounts.
Transfers.
Names.
Then I saw mine.
Emma Hayes.
My blood went cold.
“What is that?””
Nobody answered.
I looked at Daniel.
He looked terrified.
“Daniel?””
He stepped back.
“Emma, I can explain.””
Again.
Those same words.
Always after the damage was done.
My father took the tablet.
“Your husband has been transferring money from your joint accounts.””
I stared.
“What?””
Daniel shook his head.
“Not like that.””
“Then like what?””
He rubbed his face.
“It was temporary.””
“Temporary?””
The attorney spoke.
“Over the past eighteen months, approximately four hundred thousand dollars was moved.””
The room erupted.
Guests whispered.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Where?””
The attorney looked at the screen.
“To accounts connected to Whitmore Holdings.””
I looked at Eleanor.
She looked away.
That was all the confirmation I needed.
“You used my money?””
Daniel stepped forward.
“No. I used our money.””
I stared at him.
“Our money?””
I touched my wedding ring.
“Did you ever actually see me as your wife?””
His face changed.
“Of course.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“Because a husband protects his wife.””
I pointed toward the ballroom.
“You stood there while they tore my dress.””
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“You’re right.””
The apology came too late.
Way too late.
Chloe suddenly laughed.
Everyone looked at her.
“You’re acting like Daniel is the villain.””
She looked at me.
“You don’t understand anything.””
I turned.
“What don’t I understand?””
Her expression became bitter.
“You think you married Daniel because he loved you.””
A chill moved through me.
“What does that mean?””
Chloe looked at Daniel.
“Tell her.””
He didn’t move.
“Tell her why you married her.””
My heart started beating faster.
“Daniel?””
He looked destroyed.
“Emma…”
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“Say it.””
Silence.
Then Eleanor spoke.
“She needs to know.””
Daniel looked at his mother.
“Mom.””
“You wanted the truth.””
Eleanor adjusted her dress.
“You were useful.””
The room went completely silent.
Useful.
That word echoed.
I looked at Daniel.
“What does she mean?””
He couldn’t answer.
My father’s face hardened.
“Daniel.””
The attorneys began gathering documents.
One of them whispered something to my father.
His expression changed.
Then he looked at me.
“Emma.””
I knew that tone.
Something worse was coming.
“What?””
He hesitated.
“The pregnancy.””
I froze.
“What about it?””
My father looked at Daniel.
“Was this pregnancy planned?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
I felt my heart drop.
“Daniel.””
He whispered:
“Yes.””
Relief almost came.
Almost.
Then he added:
“But not for the reason you think.””
The room disappeared.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel covered his face.
“I made mistakes.””
“No.””
My voice trembled.
“You don’t get to call this a mistake.””
Chloe stepped forward.
“You were supposed to sign the inheritance documents after the baby was born.””
I looked at her.
“What inheritance documents?””
Nobody answered.
Then I remembered.
Six months ago, Daniel had asked me to sign papers.
He told me they were simple family estate arrangements.
I had trusted him.
Because he was my husband.
“I never signed them.””
Daniel looked up.
“Because you hesitated.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because your mother kept changing them.””
Eleanor’s expression shifted.
My father looked at me.
“What changes?””
I shook my head.
“She wanted control over everything.””
The attorney quickly typed something.
Then stopped.
His eyes widened.
“Mr. Hayes.””
“What?””
“The documents.””
He turned the screen.
“The inheritance agreement was designed to transfer guardianship rights.””
I frowned.
“Guardianship?””
The attorney looked at Daniel.
“Of the child.””
The air left my lungs.
My hand went to my stomach.
My baby.
They weren’t just trying to destroy me.
They were trying to take my child.
My father’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“Now I understand.””
Daniel looked at him.
“What?””
My father stared at him.
“This was never about the ring.””
He looked around the room.
“It was about removing Emma.””
I looked at Chloe.
She didn’t deny it.
Instead, she smiled.
May you like
And whispered:
“You still haven’t seen the worst part.””
