Chapter 8 - The Mother Who Refused to Be Bought|
Claire agreed to meet Adrian at her attorney's office, but only under strict conditions.
No bodyguards inside.
No surprise visits.
No gifts.
And no discussion of reconciliation.
Adrian accepted every condition.
When he arrived, he looked tired. His expensive suit could not hide the dark circles beneath his eyes, and his usual confidence had been replaced by a careful stillness.
Claire sat across from him with Daniel beside her.
“Tell me about the trust,” she said.
Adrian placed a folder on the table.
“Someone has been moving money through the family businesses. Your old authorization was used. I believe Richard Reynolds and Sophia are involved.”
Claire studied the documents.
“Why would they need my signature?”
“To make certain transfers appear legitimate.”
“Did you know about this?”
“No.”
She watched him closely.
“Would you tell me if you did?”
He looked at her.
“I would have lied to you before. I won't lie to you now.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“No,” he admitted. “It isn't. But I'm trying to become someone whose answers don't require blind trust.”
Claire looked down at the papers.
She wanted to believe him.
That was precisely why she could not afford to.
“What happened to my father?” she asked.
Adrian's expression changed.
“My father left a note suggesting Richard Reynolds knew something about his death. I don't know what it means yet.”
Claire felt her throat tighten.
“My father died in a car accident when I was twelve.”
“That's what I was told.”
“By whom?”
“My father.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Do you have the original accident report?”
Adrian nodded.
“I can obtain it.”
Claire's eyes filled, but she refused to look away.
“You spent nine months making me believe I was asking too much when I wanted you beside me. Now you're asking me to trust you with the most painful part of my childhood.”
“I know.”
“No, Adrian. You don't.”
She stood.
“My father was the only person who ever made me feel completely safe. If someone hurt him, I need the truth. Not another promise.”
Adrian rose too, but he did not reach for her.
“I'll find the records. You can verify everything independently.”
“And Grace?”
His face softened at the name.
“I want to be involved in her life. But I won't force you to let me hold her before you're ready.”
Claire studied him for a long moment.
“That's the first thing you've said that sounds like love rather than ownership.”
The words hurt him, but he nodded.
“I deserved that.”
After the meeting, Claire returned home to find Sophia waiting outside the gate.
Sophia wore sunglasses and a pale designer coat. Her face was carefully composed, but her hands shook as she approached.
“Claire, please. I need to talk to you.”
Claire kept the gate closed.
“Then talk from there.”
Sophia swallowed.
“I made a mistake.”
“You made several.”
“I didn't know Adrian would react this way.”
Claire stared at her.
“Did you know he was married when you started sleeping with him?”
Sophia's face flushed.
“Yes.”
“Did you know I was pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know he refused to come to my medical appointments?”
Sophia looked away.
“Yes.”
Claire's voice remained quiet.
“Then you knew enough.”
Sophia began to cry.
“Richard told me the trust was being used to protect the family. He said Claire Bennett had signed the documents years ago.”
“I'm Claire Bennett Moretti.”
“I know.”
“No. You knew my name. You never cared who I was.”
Sophia wiped her face.
“Richard is dangerous. He said if I told Adrian, he would destroy my family.”
Claire felt a chill.
“Then tell the police.”
Sophia looked terrified.
“He said he could make it look like I stole the money myself.”
Claire did not open the gate.
“I'm not your savior, Sophia.”
“I know.”
“Then stop asking me to protect you from the consequences of what you chose.”
Claire walked back inside.
May you like
Sophia remained outside, staring at the closed gate.
For the first time, she understood that the woman she had dismissed as weak was no longer willing to carry anyone else's guilt.
