Chapter 2
I took the phone from Noah with hands that did not feel like mine.
Vanessa was crying now.
Not because she was sorry.
Because everyone was watching.
My mother, Elaine, stood by the broken wineglass, one hand over her mouth.
My sister, Grace, whispered, “Daniel…”
I held up my hand.
Not now.
Noah pressed himself against my side.
“She said if I told, you’d send me away.”
I looked at Vanessa.
Her tears stopped.
Only for a second.
But I saw the truth under them.
“What does he mean?” I asked.
Vanessa shook her head.
“He is confused. He’s jealous. You know how children get when fathers remarry.”
Noah shrank behind me.
I felt rage rise.
Slow.
Cold.
The second video opened.
It showed Vanessa in the kitchen.
The same man sat at the island.
His face was clearer now.
Marvin Pierce.
Vanessa’s attorney.
The one she said was helping with a prenup.
On the video, Marvin slid papers across the counter.
Vanessa said, “After the wedding, I’ll file that Daniel is emotionally unstable and Noah is aggressive.”
Marvin asked, “You have proof?”
Vanessa laughed.
“I’m getting it. He already jabbed at my belly once with a pencil after I scared him.”
Noah sobbed.
“She made me.”
The video continued.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“If Noah is removed, Daniel will panic. Then I become the stable spouse, grieving the loss of our baby.”
Marvin smiled.
“And the trust?”
Vanessa said, “Half becomes marital once he signs the amended agreement.”
My heart stopped.
Noah’s trust.
My late wife’s trust.
The money Laura left for our son.
I turned toward Vanessa.
“You were going to take Noah’s inheritance?”
She lifted her chin.
“You act like that child is the only person who matters.”
“He is my son.”
“And I was supposed to be your wife.”
“Not anymore.”
Her face changed.
I pulled the engagement ring from her finger.
She tried to close her fist.
I forced it open.
The ring dropped onto the floor beside the fake belly.
“Get out.”
Vanessa stared at me.
Then she smiled.
“You think it is that easy?”
The front doorbell rang.
May you like
Marvin Pierce stood outside.
With two police officers.
