Chapter 13: The Baby Was Part of His Last Lie
Everyone turned toward Vanessa.
She stood near the doorway, one hand gripping the strap of her handbag and the other resting protectively against her pregnant stomach.
Patricia immediately shook her head.
"Don't you dare start making accusations.""
Vanessa looked at her.
"You told me the money was for the baby's future.""
Patricia's expression hardened.
"It was.""
"Then why does the bank statement show that it was transferred into an account under Daniel's name?""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Vanessa, stop.""
She backed away.
"No. I'm done stopping.""
I watched her carefully.
She looked exhausted. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her hands trembled.
"What do you mean you think Daniel has been hiding something about your baby?"" I asked.
Vanessa swallowed.
"Two weeks ago, Daniel took me to a private clinic. He said he wanted to make sure everything was okay before the baby arrived.""
"And?""
"He gave the receptionist my insurance information. Then he asked me to sign several forms.""
I frowned.
"What kind of forms?""
"He said they were routine paperwork. But when I checked my patient portal later, I found a request for additional genetic testing.""
Daniel's face changed.
Vanessa continued.
"The clinic called yesterday. They said there was a discrepancy in the medical history Daniel had provided.""
I looked at him.
"What discrepancy?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Vanessa, this isn't the time.""
She began crying.
"Then when is the time? After the baby is born? After you've bought another house with someone else's money?""
Patricia stepped between them.
"You're upsetting yourself. You need to calm down.""
Vanessa looked directly at her.
"You knew, didn't you?""
Patricia said nothing.
Vanessa pulled a folded document from her handbag.
"This is the clinic's request for a paternity test.""
I stared at it.
Daniel reached for the paper.
Vanessa pulled it away.
"Don't touch me.""
"You're misunderstanding what happened," he said.
"Then explain why you told the clinic you had concerns about the biological father.""
The room went silent.
I looked at Daniel.
"You questioned whether the baby was yours?""
He lowered his eyes.
"I had reasons.""
Vanessa's face crumpled.
"What reasons?""
He didn't answer.
She continued, her voice breaking.
"You told me you loved me. You told me you wanted this baby. You said you were finally building the family you'd always wanted.""
Daniel looked toward Patricia.
His mother spoke first.
"Vanessa, you need to understand that Daniel was under enormous pressure. We needed to protect the family assets.""
I stared at her.
"What does that have to do with the baby?""
Patricia ignored me.
"Daniel was trying to establish financial stability before the child arrived.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"By questioning whether he was the father?""
Patricia's mouth tightened.
Then Michael spoke.
"There's something else you should know.""
He opened the ledger again.
"The $75,000 payment was not made to Vanessa directly. It was transferred to an account opened in her name without her knowledge.""
Vanessa froze.
"What?""
Michael pointed to the transaction.
"The account was established using identification documents submitted with the property company registration.""
Rebecca immediately examined the record.
"Who opened it?""
Michael turned the page.
"Daniel.""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
"He opened a bank account in my name?""
"According to these records, yes.""
"And the money?""
"Moved again three days later.""
Rebecca looked at the transaction details.
"It went to a private investment account.""
I stared at Daniel.
"Did you use Vanessa's identity the same way you used mine?""
He finally exploded.
"Enough! You people act like I'm some criminal!""
Michael closed the ledger.
"Then explain the forged documents.""
Daniel pointed at him.
"You were paid to handle those transactions!""
"I was paid to review property acquisitions. I refused to falsify your wife's signature.""
Patricia slapped the table.
"Michael, remember who gave you your career!""
He looked at her calmly.
"And remember who asked me to destroy the evidence.""
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Rebecca stood.
"That's enough. We have documents suggesting unauthorized financial activity, disputed signatures, and possible identity misuse. These matters will be referred to the appropriate authorities.""
Patricia looked at me.
"You wouldn't dare.""
I met her eyes.
"Watch me.""
Daniel stepped toward me.
"Sarah, please. We can still fix this.""
I almost laughed.
"Fix what? Our marriage? Your affair?
The stolen money? The fake death certificate?""
He lowered his voice.
"I made mistakes.""
"Six years of mistakes?""
"I loved you.""
I looked at him.
"Then why did you marry me for three hundred thousand dollars?""
His face went blank.
That was the answer.
I picked up my purse.
Rebecca gathered the documents, and Michael agreed to provide copies of the original records.
As we reached the doorway, Vanessa called my name.
I turned.
She was holding her stomach.
"Sarah, there's one more thing. The clinic called me again this morning.""
"What did they say?""
She took a shaky breath.
"They said the preliminary results were ready.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
Vanessa continued.
"They confirmed that Daniel isn't the biological father.""
Patricia grabbed the back of a chair.
Daniel looked furious.
"That's not possible.""
Vanessa began crying.
"I haven't been with anyone else.""
I stared at him.
For the first time, I wondered whether the paternity test was even about the baby.
Then Vanessa showed me another document.
It was a message Daniel had sent the clinic.
*Please make sure the results are handled privately. I cannot afford another person claiming rights to the Brooks family assets.*
I read it twice.
He wasn't afraid of becoming a father.
He was afraid of losing control of the money.
And suddenly, I understood why he'd wanted the pregnancy kept separate from the property paperwork.
The baby was never simply part of his new family.
The baby was another piece of a financial arrangement.
But what Daniel didn't know was that Vanessa had already made a decision.
May you like
She was going to take the evidence to the police.
And she had one final document that could bring down Patricia's entire operation.
