Chapter 1: The Woman in My Office
The woman standing in my hallway was holding a folder with my name on it.
And judging by the expression on her face, she hadn't come to celebrate my marriage.
Behind me, my six-year-old daughter was still clutching her teddy bear, her tiny fingers wrapped around its worn brown ear. Her clothes lay in a pile near the entrance. My wife's champagne party had gone silent.
But nobody in that room seemed as frightened as the stranger in my hallway.
"Who are you?"" I demanded.
The woman didn't answer immediately. She glanced at Maya, then at Vanessa.
"Mr. Carter, my name is Eleanor Brooks. I'm an attorney representing your late wife's estate.""
My stomach tightened.
"My late wife?""
Vanessa suddenly put her champagne glass on the nearest table.
"Daniel, don't listen to her. She's confused.""
Eleanor looked directly at Vanessa.
"I'm not confused, Mrs. Carter. I believe you're the one who has some explaining to do.""
I felt Maya tug at my jacket.
"Daddy, is she going to make me leave again?""
I crouched beside my daughter.
"No, sweetheart. Nobody is making you leave.""
"But Vanessa said you signed something.""
I looked at my wife.
"What did you tell her?""
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Can we please not do this in front of everyone?""
I almost laughed.
She had no problem throwing my six-year-old daughter onto a cold porch in front of everyone. Now she suddenly cared about privacy.
"Everyone out," I said.
One of Vanessa's friends grabbed her purse.
"Daniel, maybe we should—"
"Now.""
Within seconds, the guests began filing toward the door.
Vanessa stepped between me and the hallway.
"You are embarrassing me.""
I stared at her.
"Good. Maybe now you understand how Maya felt.""
Her cheeks flushed.
"She's been impossible lately. She cries over everything. She interrupts every conversation. She follows me around like I'm supposed to be her mother.""
"She is six.""
"And I'm your wife!""
"And she's my daughter!""
The words echoed through the living room.
Maya flinched.
That hurt more than anything Vanessa had said.
I lowered my voice.
"Go upstairs, sweetheart. I'll be right there.""
Maya hesitated.
"Can I take Mommy's picture?""
I looked at the framed photograph lying among her clothes.
It showed my first wife, Laura, holding Maya on her second birthday. Laura was laughing, her dark hair falling across her face.
"Of course.""
Maya carefully picked up the frame.
Then she disappeared toward the staircase.
I turned back to Eleanor.
"Tell me what's going on.""
She opened the folder.
"Before Laura died, she established a trust for Maya. It includes the house, several investment accounts, and a life insurance settlement.""
I frowned.
"I know about the insurance. I handled everything.""
"Did you?""
Vanessa moved closer.
"Daniel, this is ridiculous. Laura died four years ago. Why is this woman suddenly showing up?""
Eleanor removed a document.
"Because the trust recently received a request to change its primary beneficiary and transfer control of its assets.""
My mouth went dry.
"Who requested that?""
Eleanor looked at Vanessa.
"Your wife.""
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything except the ticking clock above the fireplace.
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"That's not true.""
Eleanor placed another sheet on the table.
"Your signature is on the request.""
Vanessa snatched the paper.
"That's a forgery.""
"Then you won't mind explaining why your identification documents were attached.""
Vanessa's fingers tightened around the page.
I took it from her.
There was my name.
My signature.
My address.
And a date from three months earlier.
I hadn't signed anything.
"Daniel, listen to me," Vanessa said quickly.
"I was trying to protect our family.""
"Our family?""
"Yes. We live here. We share expenses. Maya has everything she needs.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"She was outside with two pairs of socks and a teddy bear.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"She was being dramatic.""
Eleanor closed the folder.
"Mr. Carter, there's something else. Laura left specific instructions regarding anyone who attempted to access Maya's inheritance.""
"What instructions?""
Eleanor hesitated.
"She requested an independent investigation if anyone tried to remove Maya from the property or misrepresent your consent.""
I felt cold.
"Why would she anticipate something like this?""
Eleanor looked down at the folder.
"Because she had already discovered something before she died.""
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
"That's enough. Daniel, she's manipulating you.""
Eleanor ignored her.
"Laura told me that if I ever found evidence of someone trying to separate Maya from her father, I should contact you immediately.""
My heart began pounding.
"Separate her from me?""
"Yes.""
Then Eleanor pulled out a photograph.
It showed Vanessa standing outside a building with a man I recognized.
My younger brother, Michael.
I stared at it.
"When was this taken?""
"Six weeks before Laura died," Eleanor answered.
May you like
Vanessa's face lost its color.
And for the first time that evening, I wondered whether the woman who had just locked my daughter outside was the only person I needed to be afraid of.
