Chapter 5 - The Father’s Suspicion
Claire’s father, Robert, had never trusted Michael completely.
He did not dislike him at first.
Michael was charming, attentive, and ambitious.
But Robert noticed that Michael became especially affectionate whenever he needed something.
A loan.
A recommendation.
Access to Claire’s contacts.
Three months before the wedding, Michael asked Robert to invest in a restaurant project.
Robert requested financial statements.
Michael never returned.
Then Robert saw him leaving a jewelry store with a blonde woman.
Michael claimed she was a client.
Robert told Claire.
She defended her husband.
Pregnancy had already made her anxious, and she did not want suspicion inside the marriage.
Robert did not press.
Instead, he hired a private investigator.
At first, he hoped to prove himself wrong.
Within two weeks, the investigator found the apartment.
Then Vanessa.
Then the wedding reservation.
Robert wanted to tell Claire immediately.
But Claire was seven months pregnant and had recently been hospitalized for high blood pressure.
Her doctor warned that severe stress could put both mother and baby at risk.
Robert waited while collecting evidence.
He hated himself for every day of silence.
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Then Michael emptied the account.
Waiting was no longer an option.
