Chapter 4: The Name on the Report
The courtroom went silent after the judge said it.
"Michael Reed.""
Daniel looked as if someone had struck him.
Michael didn't move.
I couldn't either.
For eleven years, I'd believed Lily's father was Daniel.
I'd never questioned it.
Why would I?
Daniel had been beside me when Lily was born. He'd held her first. He'd cried when the nurse placed her in his arms.
And Michael Reed had disappeared from our lives before Lily was born.
At least, that's what I'd been told.
Daniel pointed at Michael.
"You.""
Michael met his eyes.
"Yes.""
"You knew?""
"I knew the truth.""
Daniel's chair scraped backward.
"You slept with my wife?""
Michael's jaw tightened.
"Not the way you're imagining.""
Daniel laughed.
A harsh, broken sound.
"Then explain it.""
Judge Reynolds raised his hand.
"Mr. Carter, sit down.""
Daniel ignored him.
"How long?""
Michael looked at me.
"Emily needs to know what happened.""
Daniel slammed both hands on the table.
"How long?""
Michael finally answered.
"Once.""
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Daniel turned toward me.
"Once?""
I could barely breathe.
"I don't remember.""
"You don't remember?""
"I was separated from you.""
"For how long?""
I looked down.
Eleven years ago.
There had been a period when Daniel and I were constantly fighting. He'd moved into a hotel for almost three months.
I'd stayed at my father's house.
Michael had been working for my father then.
He had brought me groceries.
Checked on me.
Sat with me when I cried.
But I remembered no affair.
Nothing.
Judge Reynolds read from the report.
"According to this medical record, the biological relationship between Mr. Reed and Lily Carter is confirmed.""
Daniel's face twisted.
"No.""
The judge continued.
"The sample was obtained through legal authorization and verified by an independent laboratory.""
"No.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Emily, tell him.""
I shook my head.
"I can't.""
"You know.""
"I don't.""
"You've been hiding this for six months.""
My eyes burned.
"The letter was sealed.""
"Then why didn't you open it?""
"Because my father told me not to.""
Daniel's voice cracked.
"Your father knew?""
I looked at him.
"Apparently.""
Michael stepped forward.
"He didn't want Emily to learn the truth while you still controlled the company.""
Daniel turned toward him.
"What does my company have to do with Lily?""
"Everything.""
Michael reached into his briefcase.
"Your father-in-law discovered that Daniel had been moving company assets into shell companies.""
Daniel's attorney stood.
"Objection.""
Judge Reynolds looked at him.
"On what grounds?""
"This is outside the scope of today's hearing.""
The judge studied him.
"Not if it concerns marital assets.""
Michael placed several documents on the table.
"These transfers began shortly after Mr. Carter learned about the trust.""
I looked at Daniel.
"You knew about the trust?""
His silence answered me.
My stomach dropped.
All those months he'd been telling me the company was failing.
All those nights he'd said investors were pulling out.
He hadn't been losing money.
He'd been moving it.
Daniel's attorney whispered urgently in his ear.
Daniel pushed him away.
"Enough.""
Then he looked at me.
"You want the truth?""
I stood perfectly still.
"You want to know why I left you?""
"Yes.""
His eyes were cold.
"Because your father threatened to destroy me.""
Michael shook his head.
"That's not what happened.""
Daniel glared at him.
"You weren't there.""
"I was.""
"No.""
"I was the person your father hired to investigate you.""
Daniel froze.
The judge leaned forward.
"Investigate him for what?""
Michael opened another folder.
"Fraud.""
Daniel's face went pale.
The courtroom doors suddenly opened.
A woman in a gray suit rushed inside and handed a document to the bailiff.
The bailiff carried it to Judge Reynolds.
The judge read it.
Then looked directly at Daniel.
"Mr. Carter, there appears to be a federal investigation connected to your company.""
Daniel's attorney went completely still.
Judge Reynolds continued.
"And according to this filing, your wife's name appears as the protected beneficiary of the assets under investigation.""
Daniel looked at me.
His anger vanished.
Fear replaced it.
"Emily...""
I stepped backward.
He whispered, "Your father didn't leave you a letter.""
May you like
He stared at the documents.
"He left you the company.""
