Chapter 14 - Marcus Betrayed Maya Again
Marcus had told investigators where the storage unit was.
For several days, Maya believed that meant he had finally chosen truth.
Then Rachel received a call.
Someone had accessed Maya's old joint investment account using a password only Marcus knew.
Seventy-five thousand dollars was transferred.
Destination.
A legal defense account benefiting Charles.
Maya stared at the transaction.
“He took my money again.”
Her voice was almost calm.
That frightened me more than anger would have.
Marcus arrived with his attorney that afternoon.
He admitted it.
“My father said he needed help.”
Maya laughed softly.
There was no humor in it.
“You testified that he stole from me.”
“I know.”
“You admitted he helped imprison me.”
“I know.”
“And you gave him my money.”
“I was going to replace it.”
Maya stood.
“You still think the problem is whether the money comes back.”
Marcus looked confused.
She continued.
“The problem is that when your father demands something, you stop believing I have rights.”
He began crying.
“Maya.”
“No.”
She removed her wedding ring.
She placed it on the table.
“You have spent four years telling me you were weak.”
“You weren't weak.”
“You made choices.”
“Every time.”
She walked out.
Her attorney froze the remaining accounts that afternoon.
Marcus lost unsupervised access to shared funds.
The betrayal also destroyed his credibility with prosecutors.
He had been cooperating.
Now he looked compromised again.
Eleanor exploited it.
Through counsel, she claimed the entire family was turning against Charles out of fear.
She claimed Maya manipulated me.
She claimed Natalie wanted revenge.
She claimed Adrian was desperate to avoid prison.
For a brief moment, the story became messy enough that I felt the ground shifting.
Then Adrian's attorney requested another meeting.
This time Adrian came in person.
A restraining order required distance.
Security remained nearby.
He looked at my healing stitches.
Then away.
“I heard about Marcus.”
I said nothing.
“He never changes.”
The hypocrisy almost made me laugh.
“Neither did you.”
Adrian nodded.
“I know.”
He placed a small digital recorder on the table.
Rachel immediately asked where it came from.
“My office.”
“What is on it?”
“A meeting.”
“When?”
“Six days before the dinner.”
“Who?”
“My parents.”
“Me.”
“Marcus.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why did you record it?”
“Because I was starting to think Dad was going too far.”
“And yet you still came to dinner.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you give this to investigators earlier?”
Adrian stared at the recorder.
“Because it makes me look guilty.”
There it was.
The most truthful thing he had ever said.
Rachel copied the file.
Then we listened.
Charles discussed the loan.
Eleanor discussed my condo.
Marcus asked whether I knew.
Adrian answered.
“Not yet.”
Then Eleanor said.
“She'll say no at first.”
Charles responded.
“Then make her understand what marriage requires.”
Adrian laughed.
“I can handle Claire.”
My stomach turned.
Then came the sentence that changed the case.
Eleanor said.
“If she still refuses, remind her what happens when a wife embarrasses this family.”
Nobody asked what she meant.
May you like
Nobody objected.
Not even Adrian.
