Chapter 4 - TEN MILLION REASONS
“You made her my beneficiary?”
Emily’s voice came out barely above a whisper.
“No.”
Daniel sounded horrified.
“I swear to you, no.”
“Your signature is right there.”
“It’s forged.”
“Like mine?”
“Yes.”
Emily studied his face.
She had loved this man for eleven years.
She knew the scar beside his eyebrow.
The way his left hand twitched when he was nervous.
The small crease near his mouth when he lied.
Right now she couldn’t tell where truth ended and deception began.
“You cheated on me for eight months.”
Daniel nodded.
“So when you say, ‘Trust me,’ understand how stupid that sounds.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t.”
A nurse entered.
“Mrs. Carter, we need to take you for an ultrasound.”
Emily immediately looked at Noah.
Daniel stood.
“I’ll stay with him.”
Emily’s expression hardened.
Noah wrapped his arms around her.
“I want Mommy.”
The nurse gave Daniel a sympathetic look.
Daniel stepped back.
“I’ll walk beside you.”
They moved down the hall.
During the ultrasound, every second felt unbearable.
Finally, the doctor pointed at the monitor.
“Your daughter’s heartbeat looks good.”
Emily cried.
She couldn’t stop herself.
Daniel turned away and wiped his face.
The doctor continued.
“You’re extremely lucky. But the stress and trauma can trigger premature labor. You’re staying overnight.”
Emily nodded.
Afterward, Daniel stepped into the hallway to take a call.
Emily watched through the partly open door.
His face changed.
“What do you mean she’s gone?”
Pause.
“Find her.”
Another pause.
“No. Don’t call the police yet.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed.
When he returned, she was waiting.
“Who’s gone?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Vivian.”
“And why aren’t you calling the police?”
“Because my lawyer told me not to say anything until we understand the documents.”
Emily stared at him.
“You care more about your company than what she did to me?”
“No.”
“That sounded exactly like yes.”
“Emily, listen. If those signatures were forged, Vivian may not be acting alone.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“My company’s chief financial officer had access to every document she would’ve needed.”
“Who?”
“Marcus Reed.”
Emily knew Marcus.
Daniel’s college roommate.
Best man at their wedding.
Noah’s godfather.
The man who brought Emily soup when she had morning sickness.
“No.”
“I don’t want to believe it either.”
Daniel took out his phone.
“Marcus told me to sign the bridge package.”
Emily’s stomach twisted.
“And he was supposed to keep you downtown today?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Did he?”
“He tried.”
“Why did you come home early?”
Daniel glanced at Noah.
“I received a text.”
“From who?”
“Your phone.”
Emily sat up.
“My phone is in my purse.”
Daniel showed her the message.
COME HOME NOW. SOMETHING IS WRONG.
Sent at 3:29 p.m.
Emily had been in the garden with Noah at 3:29.
She hadn’t sent anything.
Daniel whispered, “Someone wanted me to come home.”
Emily stared at the message.
“So Vivian wanted you away.”
“Yes.”
“But someone else wanted you there.”
“Yes.”
A chill moved through the room.
Two people.
Two plans.
One house.
One attempted murder.
Then Noah spoke from the couch.
“Daddy?”
Daniel turned.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“I know who sent the message.”
Emily stared at him.
Noah pointed toward Daniel’s phone.
May you like
“I saw Uncle Marcus holding Mommy’s phone.”
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