Chapter 6 - THE SECOND BETRAYAL
My sister Rachel had always defended Daniel.
When I complained about him working late, she told me I was paranoid.
When I questioned his relationship with Celeste, she called me insecure.
Now I understood why.
Rachel had been receiving money.
Not much.
Enough to keep her loyal.
Michael investigated.
The payments went back two years.
Then we found the emails.
Rachel had been sending Daniel information about me.
My schedule.
My meetings.
My trust.
My medical appointments.
Even details about Noah's birth.
I felt betrayed twice.
Once by my husband.
Once by my sister.
Rachel came to the hospital.
I refused to see her.
She cried outside the door.
“Grace, please.”
I opened it.
She looked destroyed.
“Tell me you didn't.”
She couldn't.
“Why?”
“Daniel promised to help me.”
“With what?”
“Debt.”
I stared.
“So you sold me.”
“I didn't think he'd hurt you.”
“He left my newborn son to die.”
Rachel began crying.
“I know.”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“You don't know.”
I closed the door.
The next morning, Michael filed.
Not for revenge.
For protection.
Emergency custody.
Asset preservation.
Fraud investigation.
And a restraining order against Daniel concerning financial accounts.
Daniel retaliated immediately.
He hired one of Boston's most aggressive attorneys.
They filed allegations against me.
They claimed I was vindictive.
Unstable.
Obsessed.
The media picked up the story.
Headlines appeared.
BUSINESSMAN'S WIFE FIGHTS FOR MILLIONS AFTER MARRIAGE COLLAPSE
Daniel gave interviews.
He looked devastated.
He said he loved his son.
He said he feared I would “weaponize motherhood.”
I watched the interview from Noah's hospital room.
Then Michael entered.
“Ready?”
“For what?”
He put a tablet on the table.
“We have the complete Caribbean footage.”
“What footage?”
“The hotel security system.”
Daniel hadn't known the cameras recorded the private balcony.
Neither had Celeste.
The footage showed Daniel laughing.
Holding champagne.
Saying:
“Once Grace signs, everything belongs to me.”
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then I smiled.
“Play it again.”
