Chapter 8 - A HUSBAND SUDDENLY IN LOVE
Richard changed tactics.
Flowers became letters.
Letters became voice messages.
Voice messages became photographs of happier years.
Maya ignored all of them.
Then he started posting online.
I love my wife.
Our family is going through a private crisis.
I regret losing my temper during an emotional family moment.
Please pray for reconciliation.
Thousands of strangers attacked him in the comments.
Richard deleted the post.
Then his attorney contacted Naomi with a proposal.
Richard would withdraw his emergency custody request.
In return, Maya would return to the marital home for thirty days of counseling.
Naomi laughed aloud.
Maya didn’t.
“He wants access to me.”
“Yes.”
“And Lily.”
“Yes.”
“And whatever he thinks I’m getting.”
“Definitely.”
Maya rejected the offer.
That afternoon, Richard appeared at Lily’s preschool.
Maya had already warned the school not to release Lily without written authorization.
Richard argued with the administrator until security escorted him outside.
That was when Maya stopped seeing him as pathetic.
He was becoming dangerous.
Meanwhile, Olivia contacted someone she had not spoken to in eighteen years.
Adrian Vale.
He answered on the fifth ring.
“Olivia.”
“You remember me.”
“I remember everyone who has cost me money.”
Her mouth tightened.
“I found her.”
Silence.
Then Adrian said, “Who?”
“Don’t insult me.”
Olivia sent a screenshot from the birthday video.
The orchid ring was visible against Maya’s neck.
Adrian stared at it.
His voice became flat.
“Where did you get this?”
“My son married her.”
For once, Adrian Vale had no immediate response.
Olivia smiled.
“I thought that might interest you.”
“What does she know?”
“Nothing yet.”
“You’re sure?”
“She has met Grant.”
Adrian swore softly.
Olivia leaned back.
“My son wants his wife.”
“You want money.”
“I want security.”
“You always did.”
“And you always needed people willing to get their hands dirty.”
Adrian ended the call after arranging a meeting.
Olivia didn’t notice Vanessa standing outside the kitchen doorway.
Vanessa had come to see Richard.
She heard enough to understand three things.
Maya was worth billions.
Olivia knew something about her disappearance.
And Richard had never once mentioned any of it to Vanessa.
That night Vanessa confronted him.
“You told me you were leaving her.”
“I am.”
“You’re trying to get her back.”
“For Lily.”
Vanessa laughed.
“You don’t even pack Lily’s lunch.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“This is complicated.”
“No.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“This is money.”
Richard grabbed her arm.
“Stay out of it.”
For the first time, Vanessa understood something Maya had learned years earlier.
Richard became frightening whenever somebody told him the truth.
Vanessa pulled free.
“You touch me like that again and I’ll ruin you.”
Richard smiled.
“With what?”
Vanessa looked toward the phone in her purse.
She had recorded far more than birthday videos.
May you like
Richard didn’t know that yet.
—
