Chapter 5 - THE MONEY
Rachel called him.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
On the third call she left a message.
“You have ten minutes to move that money back before I call an attorney.”
Eight minutes later, Grant texted.
I’m protecting myself.
Rachel stared at the words.
Then typed:
From what? Your five-year-old?
No response.
That was when the sadness left.
Fear came next.
Rachel had been married long enough to know exactly how Grant operated under pressure.
Control first.
Narrative second.
Apology later.
She called her friend Nora Bell, a divorce attorney.
Nora answered on the second ring.
“Rachel?”
“I need help.”
Twenty minutes later, Nora was at the kitchen table in sweatpants with her laptop open.
“He moved joint funds after a marital blowup?” Nora asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Rachel blinked.
“Good?”
“For evidence. Bad behavior with a timestamp is a gift.”
“Nora.”
“I know. Sorry.”
Rachel rubbed her face.
“I don’t want a war.”
Nora looked toward the stairs.
“Do you still want to be married to him?”
Rachel didn’t answer.
That was an answer.
Nora’s expression softened.
“Okay.”
Rachel showed her the fertility clinic emails.
Nora stopped reading halfway through.
“This is bigger than divorce.”
“I know.”
“This could be criminal.”
“I know.”
“Does Grant know his mother was treated by the same doctor?”
“Yes.”
Nora leaned back.
“Jesus.”
At 1:17 a.m., Grant returned.
He stopped when he saw Nora.
“You called a lawyer?”
“You moved our money.”
“I moved my money.”
Nora smiled without warmth.
“Congratulations. You’ve already made my morning easier.”
Grant ignored her.
“Rachel, can we talk privately?”
“No.”
“I moved the money because I knew you were going to overreact.”
Nora actually laughed.
Grant glared.
“Stay out of this.”
“She invited me into it.”
Rachel crossed her arms.
“Move it back.”
“I will when we figure things out.”
“No. Now.”
“I’m not taking financial orders from you.”
Rachel stared at the man she had loved since she was twenty-seven.
She suddenly understood something terrible.
The person who hurt you did not always become someone new.
Sometimes pressure simply revealed the person who had always been there.
“Then leave.”
Grant scoffed.
“You can’t kick me out.”
Nora turned her laptop around.
“I can have an emergency financial filing drafted by eight.”
Grant’s jaw tightened.
Rachel said, “Move the money.”
He looked at Rachel.
Then upstairs.
“Is Maddie asleep?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see her?”
“No.”
His face hardened.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
“Tonight I do.”
“I’m her legal father.”
Rachel’s eyes narrowed.
“Interesting. Six hours ago you told eighty people she wasn’t your kid.”
Grant looked ashamed.
Good.
He should.
His phone buzzed.
He checked it.
Whatever he saw changed his face.
Rachel noticed.
“Who is it?”
“Nobody.”
“Grant.”
He shoved the phone into his pocket.
Nora stood.
“Rachel, ask him again.”
“Who was it?”
Grant walked toward the door.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
Rachel stepped in front of him.
“Show me.”
“No.”
“Why?”
He snapped.
“Because not everything is your business!”
Silence.
Nora’s eyebrows rose.
Grant immediately regretted it.
Rachel held out her hand.
“Phone.”
“No.”
“Then leave.”
He hesitated.
Then pulled it out.
Rachel took it.
One unread message.
Unknown number.
She opened it.
Grant—
Do not provide DNA to anyone until we speak. You are in danger of drawing conclusions that cannot be undone.
—Adrian Vale
Rachel looked up.
“When did you give him your number?”
Grant’s silence answered.
Rachel’s stomach dropped.
“You already spoke to him.”
Grant looked away.
“When?”
“At the party.”
“What?”
“He called me right after the clinic voicemail.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“He said he could explain.”
Rachel’s fingers went numb.
“What explanation?”
Grant swallowed.
“He wants to meet tomorrow.”
“Where?”
Grant didn’t answer.
Rachel looked down at the next incoming message.
Vale had already sent the address.
Private office.
10:00 a.m.
Come alone.
May you like
Then another message appeared.
And Grant, do not bring Rachel.
