Chapter 8: The Woman Who Helped Him Betray Me
By midnight, the anniversary party had become an investigation.
The guests had mostly left. Patricia's legal team had secured the documents, and Thomas Whitaker had contacted the company's compliance department.
My mother took me upstairs to change.
I stood in front of the bedroom mirror wearing a borrowed white robe while she carefully removed the remaining pins from my hair.
Neither of us spoke for several minutes.
Finally, I asked, "Mom, did you ever think Brandon might be using me?""
She stopped brushing my hair.
"Yes.""
I turned toward her.
"When?""
"After he started asking questions about your grandfather's estate.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She placed the brush on the vanity.
"Because you were happy. Or at least, I thought you were.""
"You could have told me the truth.""
"I tried once.""
I frowned.
"When?""
"Three years ago. I asked whether Brandon had been asking you to sign documents involving the family trust.""
I remembered that conversation.
I'd been annoyed because my mother had questioned Brandon's intentions during Sunday lunch.
I'd accused her of treating my husband like a business rival.
I'd left the table before dessert.
My mother wiped her eyes.
"I should have pushed harder.""
I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Why did you let Michael handle the trust?""
"Because he was your grandfather's younger brother. Your grandfather trusted him completely.""
"And Dad?""
"Your father believed Michael would protect the family.""
I stared at the carpet.
"Everyone protected the family except me.""
My mother knelt in front of me.
"Emily, you were the person your grandfather was trying to protect.""
Before I could answer, someone knocked.
Patricia entered carrying a folder.
"Emily, I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to discuss Vanessa.""
I straightened.
"What about her?""
"Her account has received additional payments from the company. We've also found correspondence suggesting she helped arrange the transfers.""
I closed my eyes.
"Of course she did.""
Patricia sat beside me.
"There's something else. Daniel has offered to provide the original communications between Vanessa and Brandon.""
"Has he?""
"Yes. But he wants to speak with you first.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"He believes Vanessa has been hiding information about the company for months.""
I looked at my mother.
"Bring him in.""
A few minutes later, Daniel entered.
He looked exhausted. His tie was loosened, and his eyes were red.
"I'm sorry about tonight," he said.
I shook my head.
"You didn't push me into the pool.""
He gave a weak smile.
"No, but I should have said something sooner.""
"How long have you known?""
"About the affair? I suspected for months. About the money? Three weeks.""
He took a small flash drive from his pocket.
"This contains messages Vanessa sent me.""
I looked at it.
"What am I supposed to find?""
"Something she accidentally forwarded to me.""
He connected the drive to Patricia's laptop.
A series of messages appeared.
The earliest was dated eight months earlier.
Vanessa: Michael says the old trust account is still accessible.
Brandon: Then we need the documents before Richard finds out.
Vanessa: What about Emily?
Brandon: I'll handle my wife.
I stared at the screen.
The next message was worse.
Vanessa: You promised this would be over by Christmas.
Brandon: It will be. Once the transfer is complete, we won't need to pretend anymore.
My hands began shaking.
I scrolled further.
There were photographs of bank statements, copies of legal documents, and discussions about the anniversary party.
Then I found a message sent only two days earlier.
Vanessa: Are you sure she won't suspect anything?
Brandon: Emily is planning flowers and photographs. She won't notice a thing.
I felt a painful lump in my throat.
My tenth anniversary.
I'd spent weeks choosing flowers, organizing the guest list, and arranging a beautiful dinner.
Meanwhile, my husband had been planning to steal my inheritance.
Daniel watched my face.
"There's more.""
He opened another folder.
Inside was a photograph of a printed email from Michael to Brandon.
The subject line read:
The Final Condition.
I opened it.
Michael had written that the transfer of Carter Legacy Holdings would only be possible if Emily remained married to Brandon until the beneficiary transition was complete.
My eyes moved across the screen.
Then I read the sentence again.
The marriage must remain legally intact until the final authorization is registered. After that, Brandon can proceed with the divorce.
I felt my stomach twist.
"How long?""
Daniel hesitated.
"How long what?""
"How long were they planning to keep me married to him?""
He lowered his eyes.
"The messages go back at least two years.""
Two years.
Two years of anniversaries, holidays, family dinners, and carefully staged photographs.
I remembered Brandon bringing me breakfast in bed on my birthday.
I'd thought it was love.
Now I wondered whether he'd simply been waiting for a signature.
Patricia enlarged the final email.
There was an attachment.
A draft divorce agreement.
My name was already typed at the top.
The proposed settlement gave Brandon the family mansion, a substantial cash payment, and several company assets.
In exchange, I would waive all claims to Carter Legacy Holdings.
I laughed quietly.
It wasn't because anything was funny.
It was because I couldn't believe the man I'd slept beside for ten years had planned my financial destruction so carefully.
Daniel shook his head.
"I'm sorry.""
I looked at him.
"Did Vanessa know about the forged signature?""
He hesitated.
"Yes.""
"How do you know?""
"Because I found a message where she asked Brandon whether the witness signature would be enough to make the transfer legal.""
I looked down.
"What did he say?""
Daniel read the message aloud.
"He said, 'By the time Emily discovers it, she'll already have signed away the rights.''"
Patricia closed the laptop.
"This evidence changes the investigation significantly.""
My phone rang.
It was my father.
"Emily, the board has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday at nine.""
"All right.""
"Brandon has requested a private meeting with you before then.""
I looked toward the window.
"Why?""
Dad hesitated.
"He claims he has information that could affect your inheritance.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Of course he does.""
Then Dad added something unexpected.
"He also says Vanessa has been lying to him.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"According to Brandon, she has been communicating with someone outside the company.""
My blood ran cold.
"Who?""
Dad lowered his voice.
"Someone who has been helping her move the money.""
I looked at the flash drive.
Then at Daniel.
"Does he know who?""
Dad answered.
"Yes.""
A long pause followed.
May you like
Then he said the name.
"Your father's personal attorney.""
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