Chapter 10: The Name Hidden in the Investigation
The message stayed on my screen for almost a full minute.
I read it again.
Then again.
*You think this ends with Patricia? Ask Brandon who really paid for the custody investigation.*
The words felt heavier each time.
Because deep down, I already knew.
There was another piece missing.
A person behind the person.
A hand behind the curtain.
Mr. Hayes noticed my expression.
“What happened?””
I handed him my phone.
He read the message silently.
Then his face changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
“You know something,” I said.
He looked toward Brandon.
“I know this situation is bigger than we thought.””
Brandon heard him.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody answered.
And that scared me more than anything.
The police finished taking Patricia’s statement while Lily stayed beside me.
She refused to let go of my hand.
Every few seconds, she looked at me like she was checking if I was still there.
I hated that.
Not because of her.
Because I knew someone had made my daughter feel like love could disappear.
When the officers left with Patricia, Brandon remained standing near the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
Like the past few days had aged him years.
“Emma.””
I didn’t respond.
“I know you hate me.””
I looked at him.
“I don’t hate you.””
He seemed surprised.
“I should.””
The honesty made him look away.
“I know.””
“You made choices.””
“Yes.””
“You let your mother hurt our daughter.””
His eyes filled with regret.
“Yes.””
“You let her hurt me.””
A long silence.
“Yes.””
For the first time, Brandon didn’t defend himself.
And somehow, that made it worse.
Because apologies are easy.
Consequences are harder.
Mr. Hayes closed his briefcase.
“We need to leave.””
Brandon looked at him.
“Before we do, I need to know something.””
“What?””
“Who paid for the private investigator?””
Brandon froze.
I noticed immediately.
“What?””
He looked at the floor.
“Brandon.””
“I don’t know.””
Mr. Hayes studied him.
“You’re lying.””
Brandon’s jaw tightened.
“I’m not.””
“You knew about the investigation.””
“Yes.””
“You approved the expenses.””
“I thought it was for legal preparation.””
“And who requested it?””
Brandon said nothing.
The silence answered.
“Brandon,” I whispered.
He finally looked at me.
“It was someone from my company.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
He hesitated.
Then said:
“Ethan.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But Mr. Hayes reacted instantly.
“Ethan Caldwell?””
Brandon nodded.
Mr. Hayes’ expression darkened.
“That changes things.””
“Who is he?”” I asked.
Brandon looked at me.
“My business partner.””
The room went quiet.
“Your business partner hired someone to spy on me?””
“I didn’t know the full extent.””
“But you knew something.””
Brandon closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
I felt the old anger rising.
“You always knew just enough to hurt me.””
He didn’t argue.
Mr. Hayes pulled out his phone.
“I need to make some calls.””
Before he walked away, Brandon stopped him.
“Why does Ethan matter?””
Mr. Hayes looked at him.
“Because three weeks ago, when your wife bought controlling interest in the company…”
He paused.
“Someone else was trying to buy it too.””
Brandon frowned.
“What?””
Mr. Hayes looked at me.
“And they weren’t trying to purchase it legally.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“What are you saying?””
“I’m saying someone wanted control of Mitchell Innovations.””
Brandon stepped back.
“Ethan?””
Mr. Hayes didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
The answer was already there.
Lily tugged my hand.
“Mom?””
I looked down.
“Yes, baby?””
“Are we going home?””
My heart broke.
Because I realized she wasn’t asking about a house.
She was asking if life would ever feel safe again.
“Yes.””
I hugged her.
“We’re going home.””
But as we walked outside, my phone rang.
The caller ID appeared.
*Ethan Caldwell.*
I stared at the screen.
Brandon saw it.
“Don’t answer.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
His face was pale.
“Because if he’s involved…”
The phone kept ringing.
“Then what?””
Brandon swallowed.
“He’s not someone you want to make angry.””
I answered anyway.
“Hello?””
A calm male voice responded.
“Emma Mitchell.””
I said nothing.
“I imagine you have many questions.””
“Where is Patricia?””
“She’s not my concern.””
“Then what do you want?””
A pause.
Then:
“The company.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“You tried to take my company.””
“No.””
His voice remained calm.
“I tried to save it.””
I almost laughed.
“By destroying my family?””
“You don’t understand the situation.””
“Then explain.””
Another pause.
Then Ethan said:
“Your ex-husband was never the person you needed to fear.””
I looked at Brandon.
Ethan continued.
“The person you should have been watching was the one who helped you escape.””
My blood ran cold.
“What does that mean?””
The call ended.
And one second later, another message appeared.
A photo.
It showed Mr. Hayes.
Standing with Ethan.
Taken earlier that same day.
My heart stopped.
May you like
Because underneath the photo were five words.
*Ask your lawyer who he works for.*
