Chapter 7 - THE PERFECT MOTHER
Margaret Carter had always been elegant.
Not warm.
Not cruel.
Elegant.
She sent handwritten birthday cards.
Corrected table manners.
Owned six properties and never raised her voice.
Emily had spent eleven years trying to earn the older woman’s approval.
Now Vivian was telling her Margaret might have planned her death.
“That’s insane.”
“I thought so too.”
Vivian pulled out her phone.
She showed Emily a photograph.
Margaret Carter and Marcus Reed were sitting inside a restaurant.
Date stamp: three weeks earlier.
“So?”
“So Marcus told Daniel he hadn’t spoken to Margaret in months.”
“That proves nothing.”
Vivian swiped.
A bank transfer appeared.
CARTER FAMILY HOLDINGS to REED CONSULTING.
$2,000,000.
“Payment for what?”
“Exactly.”
Emily stared at Vivian.
“Where did you get this?”
“I’ve been investigating your husband’s family for six years.”
“Because of your father?”
Vivian nodded.
“My father didn’t just lose land. Richard Carter ruined him.”
“Daniel said your father died broke.”
“He killed himself.”
The words silenced the room.
Vivian continued.
“I was seventeen.”
Emily’s anger did not vanish.
But hatred suddenly had edges.
“You still slept with my husband.”
“Yes.”
“You still pushed me.”
“Yes.”
“Your tragedy doesn’t excuse what you did.”
“I know.”
For the first time, Vivian looked genuinely small.
“I became exactly what I hated.”
Emily heard movement.
Noah opened his eyes.
He saw Vivian.
His face filled with terror.
“Mom!”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not!”
Noah jumped off the sofa.
Vivian backed away.
“You’re right,” she whispered to him. “It’s not.”
Noah stared at her.
“You hurt my mommy.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Vivian couldn’t answer.
Noah pointed at the door.
“Leave.”
Vivian looked at Emily.
Emily said, “You heard him.”
Vivian picked up the recorder.
Before leaving, she said, “Margaret will come tomorrow morning.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she texted Marcus.”
Vivian showed the message.
MAKE SURE EMILY DOESN’T SPEAK TO THE BOARD.
Emily frowned.
“What board?”
Vivian stared at her.
“You really don’t know.”
“Know what?”
“Daniel’s father left you voting shares in Carter Development.”
Emily blinked.
“What?”
“Not Daniel.”
Vivian stepped closer.
“You.”
“Why would Richard do that?”
“I don’t know.”
“But Margaret knows. Marcus knows.”
Vivian paused at the door.
“And if you die before the baby is born, those shares transfer to Daniel.”
Emily’s face went numb.
“And if something happens to Daniel?”
Vivian’s answer was quiet.
“They transfer to Margaret.”
The door opened behind her.
A perfectly dressed sixty-eight-year-old woman stood in the hallway holding white roses.
Margaret Carter smiled.
“Vivian.”
No one moved.
Margaret’s eyes shifted to Emily.
Then to Noah.
Then back to Vivian.
May you like
“What an unexpected reunion.”
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