Chapter 7: The Secret Patricia Was Afraid to Reveal
I read Patricia's message four times before deciding what to do.
Meet me alone tomorrow morning.
Don't tell your lawyer.
If this had happened a week earlier, I might have obeyed her. I had spent six years trying to earn her approval, believing that if I remained patient enough, she would eventually accept me as Daniel's wife.
But patience had cost me money, dignity, and possibly my financial future.
I wasn't going to risk anything else for her.
I forwarded the messages to Ms. Carter and asked for her advice. She responded within twenty minutes.
Do not attend a private meeting without a safety plan. If you choose to meet, use a public location, tell someone where you are, and do not sign or accept any documents without review.
I agreed.
The following morning, I arrived at a busy coffee shop in Uptown Dallas at 9:15. I chose a table near the front window, ordered black coffee, and placed my phone faceup beside the cup.
Patricia arrived twelve minutes later.
She wore a beige coat and large sunglasses, despite the cloudy weather. She looked around before approaching, as though she expected someone to follow her.
When she sat down, she didn't greet me.
Instead, she said, “Did you tell your attorney about the loan?””
“Yes.””
Her mouth tightened.
“I specifically asked you not to.””
“And I specifically asked you to treat me like family. We both know how well that worked.””
She flinched.
For the first time in six years, Patricia seemed uncertain about how to speak to me.
“Sarah, you need to understand that Daniel is in trouble.””
“Then he can explain himself.””
“He won't tell you the truth.””
“Neither will you unless I force you to.””
She removed her sunglasses.
Her eyes were red, and the skin beneath them looked swollen.
“I didn't know about Vanessa,” she said.
I studied her face.
“Do you expect me to believe that?””
“I swear I didn't.””
“Then why did you sign a document claiming I agreed to guarantee his loan?””
She looked toward the window.
“Because Daniel told me you had already agreed. He said you wanted to help him expand his business, but you didn't want the family to know how much money you were contributing.””
“That makes no sense.””
“He told me you were embarrassed about investing in a company that wasn't performing well.””
I nearly laughed.
“Daniel told you I was embarrassed to support him? Patricia, I paid for your birthday dinner while you insulted me in front of thirty-two people. I've never been embarrassed to support my husband.””
She looked down at her hands.
“I know that now.””
“No, you know it because you've discovered I won't keep paying for your behavior.””
Her lips trembled.
“I deserved what happened at the restaurant.””
It was the last answer I expected.
Patricia had spent years treating apologies as something other people owed her. Hearing her admit fault felt almost unnatural.
But I wasn't ready to forgive her.
“Tell me about the loan,” I said.
She reached into her handbag and removed a folded sheet of paper.
I didn't touch it.
“What is that?””
“A copy of an email Daniel sent me three months ago.””
“Why do you have it?””
“Because I was afraid he would deny everything.””
She slid the paper across the table.
I read the first paragraph.
Daniel had written that his company was experiencing a temporary cash shortage and that he needed his mother to support a loan application. He claimed the loan would be secured against the family property but insisted the arrangement was safe because I had already agreed to guarantee the debt.
The second paragraph was worse.
Sarah won't object once the funds are released. She trusts me to handle the paperwork, and she knows how important the business is to our future.
I looked up.
“He was using my trust as collateral.””
Patricia nodded slowly.
“I didn't question him. I wanted to believe he knew what he was doing.””
“And what happened after the loan was approved?””
Her face changed.
“He didn't use all the money for the business.””
“Where did it go?””
“I don't know everything. Some went to pay overdue company bills. Some went to a separate account he controls.””
“And the rest?””
She hesitated.
“Daniel told me he was preparing for a divorce.””
My stomach tightened.
“He told you we were getting divorced?””
“He said your marriage was already over emotionally. He claimed you had agreed to separate, but that you were demanding money he couldn't afford to give you.””
I stared at her.
“He told Vanessa the divorce was final. He told you I had agreed to separate. And he told the lender I had guaranteed his debt.””
Patricia pressed her fingers against her forehead.
“I know how it sounds.””
“It sounds like your son has been telling different lies to different people.””
She began to cry.
I felt no satisfaction watching her.
Only exhaustion.
“Why are you telling me this now?”” I asked.
“Because yesterday, Daniel came to my house and demanded the original documents I kept. When I refused, he said he would make sure I lost everything if I interfered.””
“Everything?””
“My house. My savings. Everything I've worked for.””
I leaned forward.
“Patricia, your signature is on the loan declaration. If the lender believes you knowingly submitted false information, you could face serious consequences.””
“I know.””
“Then why should I believe you're suddenly on my side?””
She looked directly at me.
“Because Daniel has stopped protecting me, too.””
There it was.
Not remorse alone. Fear.
Patricia had defended her son when his cruelty was directed at me. Now that his behavior threatened her home, she had finally begun questioning him.
I couldn't pretend that made us allies.
But her information could matter.
“Do you have the original documents?”” I asked.
She nodded.
“Some of them. Daniel gave me a folder to keep in my house because he said I was less likely to lose it than he was.””
“Where is it now?””
“At home.””
“Don't move anything or destroy anything. Give your attorney the details and let her advise you.””
Patricia looked alarmed.
“If lawyers get involved, the entire family will find out.””
“The entire family already knows I refused to pay for dinner. They laughed at me while your son tried to use my credit card. I don't owe anyone another lie.””
She wiped her face.
Then she reached into her handbag again and placed a small envelope on the table.
“This is why I really asked you to meet me.””
Inside was a printed bank transfer confirmation.
The amount was $18,500.
The receiving account belonged to a company I didn't recognize.
But the reference field contained a description that made my stomach drop.
*Legal and settlement reserve — Sarah Thompson.*
I read it again.
“Why is my name attached to this transfer?””
Patricia's voice dropped to a whisper.
“Daniel said the money was being set aside in case you demanded a divorce settlement.””
“But the account belongs to a company I've never heard of.””
“I know.””
“Who controls it?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know. But three days ago, Daniel told me that if you ever discovered the account, I should say the money was yours.””
I looked at the transfer date.
It had been made four months earlier.
Before I discovered Vanessa. Before the birthday dinner. Before I knew there was a loan.
I slipped the paper back into the envelope.
“Patricia, did Daniel tell you what he planned to do with that money?””
She opened her mouth.
Then her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen, and her face drained of color.
Daniel's name appeared.
She rejected the call.
A message arrived immediately.
I know where you are. Don't show Sarah the second envelope.
Patricia froze.
I slowly turned toward her handbag.
“The second envelope?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered, “He knows I brought the documents.””
And before I could ask another question, a black SUV pulled up outside the coffee shop.
May you like
Daniel stepped out.
He was looking directly at our table.
