Chapter 10 - The Mother-in-Law Who Found the Secret
Claire waited until Margaret left before entering the study. Ethan stood behind the desk, staring at an unopened envelope.
“What trust?” Claire asked.
He looked up too quickly. “What are you talking about?”
“Your mother said the trust changes everything.”
“You were listening outside the door?”
“You were discussing my life.”
Ethan pushed the envelope aside. “My family’s financial arrangements are private.”
“Not if they affect our marriage and our child.”
The word escaped before Claire could stop it.
Our child.
Ethan’s face emptied.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
“What did you say?”
Claire looked toward the closed door. Margaret was still on the porch. Her car had not yet left the driveway.
“I said nothing.”
“Claire.”
She walked past him. “Ask your mother.”
Margaret returned the next morning. This time, she arrived alone and carried no handbag. She entered the house without waiting to be invited.
“You told him,” she said.
“He heard you.”
“Does Ethan know?”
“He knows there is something you are afraid of.”
Margaret closed the door. “How far along?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Answer me.”
“Twelve weeks.”
Margaret’s face went pale.
Claire watched her carefully. “Why are you frightened?”
“I’m not frightened.”
“Then you’re a poor liar.”
Margaret looked toward the staircase. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”
“I’m carrying a baby.”
“You’re carrying a complication.”
Claire felt something inside her settle into certainty.
“That is how you see my child?”
“I see the consequences of your choices.”
“My choice was to love your son.”
“And he has suffered because of it.”
Claire laughed once, softly. “You really believe that.”
“Ethan had a future before you.”
“He still does. He just doesn’t get to take mine.”
Margaret opened a folder she had brought beneath her coat. “You can leave with five hundred thousand dollars. The house can be sold, and you can take your share. You sign a confidentiality agreement and give up any claim to the company.”
“And the baby?”
“Ethan will provide support.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Margaret’s silence answered.
Claire stepped closer. “You want me to give up the child’s inheritance.”
“I want to keep this family from being destroyed.”
“You are the one destroying it.”
Margaret’s eyes flashed. “You think a baby gives you power?”
“No. I think your fear gives me information.”
Margaret’s mouth tightened.
Claire picked up the folder and glanced at the number printed on the settlement page.
“Make it a million.”
Margaret stared at her. “You are shameless.”
“I’m testing you.”
“You don’t have the leverage you think you have.”
“Then why are you offering me money to leave?”
Margaret crossed the room. “Because if Ethan learns about that baby, everything becomes complicated.”
Claire let the silence lengthen.
“What changes?”
“The trust.”
“What trust?”
Margaret realized she had said too much. Her eyes narrowed.
“You should speak with Ethan.”
“I will. After Lucas tells me what your family has hidden.”
Margaret’s face hardened at the mention of Lucas. “You have no idea what he wants.”
“I know what he doesn’t want. My signature.”
Margaret moved toward the door.
Claire followed her. “Tell Ethan I’m pregnant.”
Margaret stopped.
“You do it,” Claire said. “Tell him his child is the reason you’re desperate to make me disappear.”
Margaret turned back. For the first time, her carefully controlled face showed something close to panic.
“You will regret forcing this.”
After she left, Claire opened the settlement folder again.
Beneath the financial terms was a clause she had not noticed before: waiver of all rights under the Cole Family Trust.
Claire photographed it and sent it to Lucas.
May you like
His reply arrived moments later.
Find out who inherits. Immediately.
