Chapter 10: The Secret My Husband Kept for Two Years
I couldn't take my eyes off the photograph.
My mother stood beside Alexander outside a hospital room, wearing the blue cardigan she had owned for years. Her face looked thinner than I remembered, but she was smiling.
Alexander stood beside her, holding a folder.
The date on the back was the same day I had discovered Daniel's affair.
The same day my engagement had fallen apart.
I looked at my husband.
"How did you know my mother?""
Alexander pulled out the chair opposite me.
"Two years ago, Carter Global was considering purchasing a commercial development in Atlanta. Your mother's investment company owned a controlling interest in the property.""
I frowned.
"Mom never mentioned that.""
"She didn't want to sell. But she agreed to meet with me because she had concerns about the previous management company.""
"What does that have to do with our engagement?""
He looked down at the photograph.
"During our first meeting, she mentioned that her daughter was getting married. She showed me a picture of you.""
My stomach tightened.
"What picture?""
"A photograph from your engagement party.""
I remembered it.
Mom had taken dozens of pictures that evening, including one of me standing beside Daniel with my engagement ring displayed proudly.
Alexander continued.
"Several months later, I received a call from your mother. She had discovered Daniel's relationship with Vanessa and was worried about you.""
I swallowed.
"She called you?""
"Yes. She asked whether I knew anything about Daniel's business dealings. At that point, I had already noticed unusual financial activity involving one of our potential acquisition partners.""
"Daniel?""
Alexander nodded.
"He was attempting to secure funding through companies connected to your mother's properties.""
I stared at him.
"So Mom told you everything?""
"Not everything. She was still investigating. But she told me enough to understand that Daniel might be using your relationship to get close to her assets.""
I felt a wave of anger.
"And you never told me?""
"I didn't know you personally. I had no right to interfere in your life based on information I couldn't verify.""
"You could have warned me.""
"I tried.""
I looked up.
"What?""
"Your mother said she would speak to you herself. She wanted you to hear the truth from her.""
My throat tightened.
"She never did.""
Alexander nodded sadly.
"She regretted that.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, traffic moved along the street as if nothing in the world had changed.
"Then why did you marry me?""
Alexander stood behind me.
"Because I fell in love with you.""
I turned.
"That sounds convenient.""
He didn't become defensive.
"I know how it sounds. But when we met again, it wasn't because of your inheritance. Your mother introduced us at a charity event several months after your engagement ended.""
I remembered that evening.
I had been helping Mom attend a fundraiser despite her treatment. She had introduced me to a tall man in a dark suit.
I remembered thinking he looked familiar.
But I hadn't realized who he was.
Alexander continued.
"You were carrying a box of donated books when you tripped near the entrance. I helped you pick them up. You spent ten minutes apologizing to me because one of the books had landed on my shoe.""
Despite everything, a small smile escaped me.
"I remember the books.""
"I remember you refusing to let me carry them because you said you weren't helpless.""
I looked at him.
"And you knew who I was.""
"Yes.""
"From the beginning?""
"Yes.""
I looked away.
He stepped closer.
"But I didn't pursue you because of your mother. I pursued you because I wanted to know you. And when I realized I was falling in love with you, I told your mother.""
"What did she say?""
Alexander smiled sadly.
"She said, 'Don't make promises you can't keep. My daughter has already had enough disappointment.''"
My eyes filled.
That sounded exactly like her.
Then his expression changed.
"There's one more thing.""
I turned.
"What?""
He handed me another document.
It was a letter from Richard Collins.
The heading read:
*PRIVATE COMMUNICATION — CONFIDENTIAL*
I scanned the first paragraph.
Richard had written to Alexander shortly after our relationship began.
Your continued involvement with Emily Bennett presents a serious conflict with the existing estate arrangements. We strongly advise that you discontinue the relationship.
My hands trembled.
"He threatened you?""
"Not exactly.""
I continued reading.
The next paragraph contained a warning.
Should the marriage proceed, your company may become subject to investigation concerning transactions involving the Bennett estate.
I looked at Alexander.
"Did he try to blackmail you?""
"He attempted to frighten me into withdrawing.""
"And you ignored him.""
"I did.""
"Why?""
Alexander took both my hands.
"Because I wasn't going to let someone else decide who I could love.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I noticed something else.
The letter was dated only two weeks before our private wedding.
I looked up.
"Did you know Mom was planning to change the trust?""
"She told me she intended to make you the sole primary beneficiary. But she didn't reveal every detail.""
"Why?""
"She wanted the legal process completed before anyone could interfere.""
I sat down again.
My mind was exhausted.
Before I could ask another question, Jonathan entered.
"Mr. Carter, we've received the forensic results.""
Alexander turned.
"Go ahead.""
Jonathan placed a document on the table.
"The signature on the beneficiary release agreement was forged. The handwriting analysis indicates that the person who prepared the document had access to Mrs. Carter's previous signatures.""
"Who prepared it?"" I asked.
Jonathan hesitated.
"We have a preliminary identification.""
"Who?""
"Richard Collins.""
I exhaled.
Alexander asked, "And the original trust amendment?""
"Authentic. Your mother signed it voluntarily, with two independent witnesses.""
"Good.""
Jonathan opened another file.
"But we've found something else in Richard's correspondence.""
He showed us an email.
It was dated five days before my mother's death.
The message contained a scanned attachment.
A hospital discharge authorization.
I frowned.
"Why would Richard have this?""
Jonathan looked at me.
"Because someone attempted to remove your mother from medical care without her consent.""
My blood ran cold.
"Who?""
Jonathan turned the page.
The authorization bore the signature of Vanessa Bennett.
I stared at it.
"Vanessa?""
Jonathan nodded.
"She claimed your mother wanted to leave the hospital and move into the Buckhead mansion.""
I couldn't breathe.
Mom had been too ill to travel.
She could barely stand.
"Did she actually leave the hospital?""
"No," Jonathan replied.
"The medical staff rejected the request.""
I looked at Alexander.
"Why would Vanessa do that?""
He was silent for a moment.
Then Jonathan spoke again.
"Because the hospital had refused to provide access to a document your mother had hidden in her room.""
"What document?""
Jonathan opened the final page.
It was a handwritten inventory of items stored in a locked box at the hospital.
At the bottom, Mom had written:
The original evidence is inside. Do not give it to Richard. Do not give it to Daniel.
Then, in smaller handwriting:
Emily must open it herself.
I stared at the page.
"Where is the box?""
Jonathan looked at me.
"According to the hospital's records, it was collected by a family member two days before your mother died.""
My voice barely worked.
"Who collected it?""
He turned the screen toward me.
May you like
The signature at the bottom was unmistakable.
Vanessa Bennett.
