CHAPTER 7: THE BRIDE WHO RAN
Claire contacted Naomi from a hotel near O’Hare Airport.
She had removed her wedding ring.
She had also hired her own attorney.
“I want immunity,” she said as soon as we entered the room.
Naomi remained standing.
“You participated in a conspiracy involving fraud and the assault of a child. You are not in a position to demand anything.”
Claire’s face tightened.
“I didn’t know he would hit Sophie like that.”
“You admitted you discussed it.”
“We discussed frightening her.”
My hands curled into fists.
Claire noticed.
“I’m not defending it,” she said quickly. “Preston was supposed to accuse her of stealing. Your parents believed public humiliation would make you sign the transfer.”
“And if I refused?”
“They planned to threaten a custody investigation.”
My stomach turned.
Claire opened a leather bag and removed several folders.
Inside were emails, financial statements and copies of text messages between Preston and my parents.
One message from my mother read:
Once Evelyn is isolated, she always gives in.
Another from Preston said:
The kid is weak. One good scare and they’ll both leave.
Claire looked down.
“I thought it was business pressure. I didn’t realize how much he hated you.”
“He doesn’t hate me,” I said. “He hates anyone he can’t control.”
Claire handed Naomi a flash drive.
“This contains everything I saved.”
“Why save it?” Naomi asked.
“Insurance.”
Of course.
Claire had not suddenly developed a conscience.
She had prepared protection in case the family turned against her.
“Why return the trust?” I asked.
“Your mother asked me to destroy it. I told her I had. But after Preston’s arrest, she blamed me. She said I had failed to keep him calm.”
Claire’s expression became bitter.
“I realized I was never going to be family. I was going to be evidence.”
Naomi examined one of the documents.
“What is Project Northstar?”
Claire went pale.
“That’s why they needed Harbor House sold quickly.”
She explained that Preston had secretly borrowed millions using company property as collateral. The money funded failed investments, private vacations and a luxury condominium he had hidden from Claire.
The loans were due in six weeks.
If Harbor House was not sold, Bennett Development could collapse.
My father had spent years covering Preston’s losses.
My mother had protected his reputation.
And now they were willing to displace sixty families, forge my signature and terrorize my daughter to save him again.
Claire’s phone suddenly lit up.
A message from Preston.
I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.
We all stared at the screen.
Seconds later, someone knocked on the hotel door.
Three slow knocks.
Claire stopped breathing.
Naomi motioned for us to remain silent and called security.
The knocking came again.
Then Preston’s voice passed through the door.
“Claire, sweetheart.”
He sounded calm.
“Open the door.”
May you like
Police had released him on bond less than an hour earlier.
And somehow, he had come directly to us.
