Chapter 13 - The First Defection
Claire called Rebecca that night.
“I need to tell you something.”
Rebecca almost hung up.
“Then tell Detective Price.”
“I can’t.”
“You lied about me under oath.”
“I know.”
“You helped Marcus try to take my children.”
“I know.”
Claire’s voice broke.
“He has videos.”
“What videos?”
“Dad meeting him. Daniel signing documents. Mom witnessing transfers.”
“Where?”
“Marcus keeps copies in a safe at his office.”
Rebecca looked at Maya.
The call was on speaker.
Claire continued.
“He told us if anyone turned against him, he’d report all of us.”
“You committed fraud.”
“I signed what Dad gave me. I didn’t understand everything.”
“You understood enough to take money.”
Claire sobbed.
“I was jealous of you.”
Rebecca said nothing.
“Grandma loved you differently. Dad protected you when we were young. Then you married Marcus and had this perfect life.”
“It wasn’t perfect.”
“I know that now.”
Claire gave them the office security code.
In return, Maya advised her to obtain independent counsel and cooperate.
Before ending the call, Claire whispered, “There’s one more thing. Marcus didn’t choose you because of the trust.”
Rebecca’s stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?”
“He was sent to meet you.”
“By whom?”
Claire’s answer came quietly.
May you like
“Dad.”
👉 Rebecca believed Marcus had manipulated her family—but her own father had arranged the marriage from the beginning.
