Chapter 7 - Claire’s Envelope
Daniel found the envelope in a place Margaret would never have searched.
Claire’s recipe box.
She hated cooking.
That was why.
Tucked behind a handwritten pancake recipe was a sealed yellow envelope.
DANIEL.
His hands shook.
Inside were photocopies.
Bank transfers.
Emails.
A handwritten statement.
And a letter from Claire.
Daniel,
If you're reading this because I finally found the courage to tell you, please don’t be angry that I waited.
Your mother has been pressuring me since Noah was born.
Your dad told me privately that Noah was protected by a trust.
Margaret found out.
She believes the shares should stay with her.
At first she asked me to convince you to disclaim Noah’s rights.
Then she began questioning whether Noah was yours.
She offered me money to leave.
Daniel stopped reading.
He closed his eyes.
Claire continued.
When I refused, she told me she could make people believe anything if she had enough paperwork.
I started keeping copies.
I didn’t tell you because Henry was sick and you were barely sleeping.
I thought I could handle her.
I was wrong.
Daniel’s vision blurred.
Then the final paragraph.
Noah is yours.
You know that.
I know that.
But if she ever makes you doubt me after I’m gone, test him.
Not because Noah needs to prove anything.
Because you may need proof of what she was willing to do.
Daniel pressed the letter against his mouth.
Claire had predicted it.
Margaret had waited until Claire could no longer defend herself.
Then used Daniel’s grief against him.
The photocopied transfers led somewhere new.
A company called Meriton Consulting.
Samuel searched the state corporate registry.
The registered owner was a former Carter Global accountant.
Victor Lang.
Victor had retired three years earlier.
Daniel called him.
Victor refused to speak.
Samuel sent a subpoena.
Two days later, Victor’s attorney contacted them.
Victor wanted immunity before cooperating.
“Cooperating with what?” Daniel asked.
May you like
Samuel looked grim.
“Apparently the paternity fraud was not the first fraud your mother committed.”
