Chapter 5 - THE PERSON I NEVER SUSPECTED
The video played slowly.
A person walking through my apartment.
Looking around.
Opening drawers.
Searching.
Not stealing.
Searching.
I watched the screen.
My heart sank.
Because I knew that walk.
I knew that posture.
“No…”
Michael looked at me.
“You recognize them?”
I couldn’t speak.
The person turned slightly toward the camera.
Enough.
Just enough.
“It can’t be.”
Michael paused the video.
“Emma.”
I swallowed.
“That’s impossible.”
“Who is it?”
My voice came out weak.
“My mother-in-law.”
Michael didn’t react.
But I saw the surprise in his eyes.
“Daniel’s mother?”
I nodded.
“She hates me.”
Michael studied the screen.
“Why?”
I looked down.
“Because she thinks I took Daniel away from her.”
Michael leaned forward.
“And she had access to your apartment?”
I nodded slowly.
“Daniel gave her a key.”
Silence.
Another piece.
Another secret.
Michael wrote something down.
“Your husband, his mistress, and now his mother.”
I closed my eyes.
“How many people were involved?”
Michael didn’t answer.
Because neither of us knew.
That afternoon, we went to meet Daniel.
Not at my apartment.
Not at the hotel.
At Michael’s office.
Daniel walked in wearing an expensive suit.
Like nothing happened.
Like he was still in control.
He looked at me.
“Emma.”
I said nothing.
His expression softened.
“I know you’re upset.”
I almost laughed.
Upset.
That word again.
“You broke my arm.”
He looked away.
“It was an accident.”
Michael leaned forward.
“An accident?”
Daniel looked at him.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
Michael smiled.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“You think because you knew her father, you can interfere?”
Michael’s eyes became cold.
“I don’t think.”
A pause.
“I know.”
Daniel sat down.
“I love my wife.”
I looked at him.
The lie almost hurt more than the truth.
“Then why was Vanessa in our home?”
No answer.
“Why was money taken from my account?”
Silence.
“Why did your mother break into my apartment?”
Daniel’s face changed.
Just slightly.
But I noticed.
“You knew.”
He didn’t respond.
My chest tightened.
“You knew.”
Daniel looked down.
“Emma, listen.”
“No.”
My voice surprised even me.
“No more excuses.”
For the first time in years…
I saw fear in his eyes.
Michael placed a document on the table.
“This is a temporary freeze order.”
Daniel picked it up.
His face changed.
“You froze my accounts?”
“Your accounts?”
Michael smiled.
“Interesting choice of words.”
Daniel stood.
“You have no right.”
Michael didn’t move.
“You should have thought about that before hurting Emma.”
Daniel looked at me.
“Are you really doing this?”
I stared at him.
“I’m protecting myself.”
His expression changed.
Not sadness.
Not regret.
Anger.
Pure anger.
“You’re choosing him over me?”
I looked at Michael.
Then back at Daniel.
“No.”
I whispered.
“I’m choosing myself.”
Daniel walked out.
But before the door closed…
He stopped.
And said something that made Michael immediately stand.
“You still don’t know what your father did.”
The door closed.
I looked at Michael.
“What did he mean?”
Michael’s face was serious.
“Emma…”
“What?”
He hesitated.
“Your father wasn’t only protecting you from Daniel.”
My heart dropped.
“Then who?”
Michael looked toward the closed door.
May you like
“Everyone.”
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