Chapter 12 - THE HEARING
The financial hearing happened four months after O’Hare.
By then, the story had changed completely.
What began as an affair had become a complex divorce involving hidden assets, unauthorized transfers, and disputed financial documents.
I sat beside Claire.
Daniel sat across the room.
He didn’t look at me.
Richard was represented separately.
Lauren had reached an agreement to return the money she received.
The judge reviewed documents for hours.
Transfers.
Emails.
Account records.
The apartment lease.
Bennett Meridian.
My inheritance.
Then Daniel testified.
His attorney tried to make the investments sound ordinary.
“Did you intend to permanently deprive your wife of these funds?”
“No.”
“Did you believe the investments would appreciate?”
“Yes.”
“Did they?”
“Some did.”
“Did you intend to repay any money owed?”
“Yes.”
Then Claire stood.
Her first question was simple.
“Dr. Bennett, did Rachel know Bennett Meridian Holdings existed?”
Daniel hesitated.
“No.”
“Did Rachel know more than seven hundred thousand dollars connected to her inheritance had been transferred through accounts associated with Bennett Meridian?”
“No.”
“Did Rachel know your father and sister had financial interests connected to that company?”
“No.”
“Did Rachel know about the West Loop apartment?”
“No.”
“Did Rachel know Vanessa Cole lived there?”
“No.”
“Did Rachel know you were taking Ms. Cole to Rome?”
“No.”
“Did Rachel know you had purchased an engagement ring?”
Daniel’s attorney objected.
The judge allowed the question in limited context.
Daniel answered.
“No.”
Claire approached the screen.
Then played the apartment recording.
Richard’s voice filled the courtroom.
“She doesn’t know about Bennett Meridian.”
Daniel’s recorded voice answered.
“And she doesn’t need to yet.”
Nobody moved.
Claire stopped the video.
“Dr. Bennett, when exactly did you intend to tell your wife?”
Daniel stared at the table.
“I don’t know.”
“Before or after you filed for divorce?”
“I don’t know.”
“Before or after you moved additional funds?”
“I don’t know.”
“Before or after Rome?”
His attorney objected again.
The judge looked at Daniel.
He suddenly seemed very small.
The hearing lasted almost six hours.
The ruling did not come immediately.
But temporary orders froze disputed accounts.
The property held by Bennett Meridian could not be sold.
Daniel could not transfer additional assets.
Neither could Richard.
When we walked outside, reporters waited near the courthouse steps.
I hated that part.
I had never wanted strangers interested in my marriage.
Claire guided me past them.
Then someone called my name.
“Rachel.”
I turned.
Lauren stood near the building.
Alone.
She approached carefully.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at her.
This time she didn’t cry.
She didn’t make excuses.
“I betrayed you.”
That was all she said.
For once, somebody in the Bennett family had used the correct word.
“I know.”
“I kept telling myself it wasn’t my marriage.”
She swallowed.
“But I helped him lie.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
She nodded.
Then handed me an envelope.
“What is this?”
“Something I should have given you months ago.”
Inside was a birthday card.
My birthday card.
The one Daniel had apparently planned to leave for me while he was in Rome.
I opened it.
Rachel,
I’m sorry work has stolen another birthday.
I promise we’ll celebrate when things calm down.
Love always,
Daniel.
I stared at the handwriting.
Then I laughed.
Lauren looked confused.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
But it wasn’t nothing.
Daniel had written “Love always” on a card for his wife while packing an engagement ring for his mistress.
For the first time, the absurdity was stronger than the pain.
I tore the card in half.
May you like
Then again.
And dropped the pieces into the nearest trash can.
