Chapter 3 – The Birthday They Never Expected
Ethan arrived at my house the following morning carrying flowers.
He found two sheriff's deputies waiting instead.
His smile disappeared.
"What is this?"
One deputy stepped forward.
"Mr. Brooks?"
"Yes?"
"You've been served with an emergency asset-freeze order."
His face drained of color.
"This is ridiculous."
Then another vehicle pulled into the driveway.
Claire climbed out.
She rushed toward me, already crying.
"Emma, please... Ethan said you misunderstood everything."
I stared at her.
"My signature."
Her tears stopped.
"The forged documents."
She slowly turned toward Ethan.
"You told me she signed them."
Ethan's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Claire backed away from him.
"You said she wanted us to invest the money."
He grabbed her arm.
"Claire, don't do this."
She yanked herself free.
"You lied to me."
"No!"
"You told me Emma didn't care about the investments anymore."
The deputies exchanged glances.
My attorney quietly pressed the record button on her phone.
Claire continued talking.
"I only signed because you said Emma approved everything."
Ethan realized too late what had happened.
His own accomplice had just destroyed his defense.
The lead deputy stepped forward.
"Mr. Brooks..."
He placed handcuffs on Ethan's wrists.
"...you're under arrest for suspected fraud, forgery, and financial theft pending investigation."
Ethan stared at me.
"Emma... please."
I said nothing.
As they escorted him away, Claire collapsed onto the curb, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I never wanted this."
I finally answered.
May you like
"But you wanted him."
She couldn't deny it.
