Chapter 10 - The Decision Grant Made
Grant opened the rear door of the SUV.
“Daisy is leaving with me.”
Lauren stepped forward.
“You have no legal authority.”
Grant looked at her.
“I have a signed emergency authorization from the attorney representing Daisy’s adoption trust.”
Ethan lifted his head.
“What adoption trust?”
Grant had expected the question.
Daisy’s biological grandmother had left a modest trust when she died.
The money was intended for Daisy’s education, medical needs, and general welfare.
Ethan and Lauren had been appointed custodians.
Grant had reviewed the account that morning.
Several large withdrawals had been made during the previous year.
Vacation deposits.
Home décor purchases.
Lauren’s photography equipment.
The Florida resort.
Ethan looked at his wife.
“You said the campaign paid for this trip.”
“It was going to reimburse us.”
“You used Daisy’s money?”
Lauren’s voice rose.
“It was family money.”
“No,” Grant said. “It was Daisy’s.”
Daisy stood completely still.
The trip she had been excluded from had been purchased with money left for her.
Grant opened a folder.
Receipts.
Bank transfers.
Account statements.
Lauren’s sponsored posts.
Everything connected.
Ethan took one statement.
His eyes moved down the page.
“Twenty-eight thousand dollars?”
Lauren grabbed his arm.
“We were building a business.”
“With her trust?”
“For the family.”
“You removed her from the family picture.”
Lauren’s face twisted.
“You agreed to everything until your father arrived.”
Ethan pulled his arm away.
“I agreed because you lied.”
Grant looked at him.
“Do not make yourself innocent.”
Ethan flinched.
He had signed the withdrawals.
He had chosen not to ask questions.
He had watched Daisy become smaller in his home because challenging Lauren was uncomfortable.
Grant lifted Daisy’s suitcase into the SUV.
Then he opened the passenger door.
Daisy hesitated.
“Am I going home?”
Grant looked at her.
“You are going somewhere safe.”
“Without them?”
“Yes.”
She looked at Ethan.
His face crumpled.
Daisy did not run toward him.
May you like
She climbed into Grant’s vehicle.
👉 Grant had protected Daisy from immediate danger—but the financial records suggested her exclusion had been happening far longer than anyone realized.
