Chapter 4 - THE ENVELOPE
I took Claire’s purse from the table.
She immediately stepped forward.
“Give me that.”
I held it out of reach.
“What’s in the envelope?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“You were marrying me in less than fifteen minutes.”
“Then you should trust me.”
I almost laughed.
“Trust you?”
The words came out quietly.
Claire’s face hardened.
“You’re being dramatic.”
“No.”
I looked at the black SUV visible through the window.
“Who is Daniel Ross?”
“You know who he is.”
“No. I know the story you told me.”
Claire froze.
I had met her two years after she claimed Daniel had destroyed her life.
According to her, he had cheated on her.
Stolen money from her.
And disappeared.
She had said she had been forced to rebuild herself from nothing.
I had believed her.
I had wanted to be the man who showed her that good people still existed.
Now I was beginning to wonder if I had been nothing more than the next opportunity.
My mother reached toward me.
“Ethan, the envelope.”
I looked at Claire.
“Open it.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Then I will.”
She suddenly grabbed the purse.
I stepped back.
Marcus moved between us.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
For a moment, we stood there in silence.
Then the venue manager cleared his throat.
“Mr. Carter, I believe you should know something.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
He opened another file on his tablet.
“This morning, someone attempted to access the venue’s administrative office.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who?”
He looked at Claire.
“She used a keycard registered under your name.”
Claire’s face changed.
“What?”
The manager continued.
“She entered at 6:42 a.m.”
Claire stared at him.
“That’s impossible.”
The manager showed us the footage.
A woman in a long coat entered the office.
Her face was partially hidden.
But the keycard belonged to Claire.
She stayed inside for twelve minutes.
Then she left carrying a document box.
I looked at Claire.
“What did you take?”
“I didn't take anything.”
The manager opened the security log.
“The box contained copies of the venue contracts and payment records.”
I felt a strange chill.
“Why would you need those?”
Claire shook her head.
“I didn't.”
My mother suddenly spoke.
“Ethan.”
I turned.
She was staring at Claire’s purse.
“Look inside.”
Claire stepped backward.
“Don't.”
The word came too quickly.
I knew then.
I reached for the purse.
Claire tried to stop me.
Marcus caught her wrist.
“Don't make this worse.”
I opened the purse.
Inside were lipstick, a phone, keys…
And a white envelope.
I pulled it out.
Claire closed her eyes.
The envelope was addressed to:
Claire Morgan.
There was no return address.
I opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Claire standing outside my father’s company.
Beside her was Daniel Ross.
The date on the photograph was six months before Claire and I met.
I turned it over.
Written on the back were the words:
“You promised me half.”
My hands went cold.
I looked at Claire.
“What does this mean?”
She said nothing.
I pulled out the second item.
A bank transfer document.
The recipient was a company called Morgan Strategic Holdings.
The amount was $250,000.
The sender was Carter Industries.
My father’s company.
The transfer had been made four years ago.
Before my father died.
Before I met Claire.
I looked at my mother.
She had gone completely still.
“Mom?”
She stared at the document.
“I’ve seen that company before.”
“Where?”
She looked at Claire.
“Your father mentioned it.”
Claire suddenly turned toward the door.
I grabbed her arm.
“Where are you going?”
She looked at me.
And for the first time…
May you like
She stopped pretending.
“Ask your mother what your father was hiding.”
