Chapter 3 - The Anniversary Invitation
"Where is the money?"
Liam didn't answer.
The room had gone so quiet I could hear Hailey breathing against my shoulder.
"What money?" Patricia asked.
I kept my eyes on Liam.
"The savings account."
His mother frowned.
"What savings account?"
"The one Liam and I built before Hailey was born."
It was supposed to give us breathing room while I was on maternity leave.
Not a fortune.
But enough that I could stay home without panicking every time the mortgage cleared.
I had trusted Liam to manage several transfers because he'd always handled most of our online banking.
Now his face told me exactly how expensive that trust had become.
"Emily," he said, "we should discuss this alone."
"No."
"Please."
"Where is it?"
He rubbed his forehead.
"I moved some money."
"How much?"
"It's not gone."
"How much?"
My father pushed back his chair.
Liam finally whispered the amount.
"Twenty-eight thousand."
My mother gasped.
I felt strangely detached.
"Where?"
"An investment."
"What investment?"
"It was temporary."
"Where, Liam?"
His eyes shifted.
That was enough.
"The affair?"
"No."
"Then tell me."
He didn't.
I picked up my phone.
The unknown sender had gone silent again.
I forwarded the message and photograph to myself, then backed them up.
Liam watched.
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure things don't disappear."
His expression hardened.
"You're treating me like a criminal."
"I'm treating you like someone who has lied to me repeatedly."
Patricia stepped toward him.
"Did you take Emily's maternity money?"
"I borrowed it."
"Without telling her?"
"I was going to put it back."
My father muttered something under his breath.
I looked at Liam.
"Tonight you're staying somewhere else."
"This is my house too."
"And I'm asking you to leave voluntarily."
"What about Hailey?"
His sudden concern made something hot rise in my chest.
"What about her?"
"She's my daughter."
"Yes. The daughter whose pictures were apparently driving you insane."
He flinched.
Good.
Not because I enjoyed hurting him.
Because for the first time, he was hearing his own words without the protection of secrecy.
Patricia touched his arm.
"Come stay with me."
"Mom—"
"You're leaving."
He stared at her.
Then at me.
The fight drained from him.
He walked upstairs.
Twenty minutes later, he returned carrying a bag.
He stopped beside Hailey.
"Can I kiss her?"
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
He kissed the top of her head.
When he straightened, his eyes were wet.
"I'm sorry."
I couldn't tell whether he meant the affair, the money, or getting caught.
Maybe he didn't know either.
He left.
The door closed.
And only then did my knees weaken.
My mother took Hailey.
I sat down.
The perfect anniversary table remained around us.
Half-empty glasses.
Candles.
Pumpkin pie.
The unopened bracelet box.
Evidence of a marriage that had existed that morning and didn't anymore.
My father crouched beside me.
"You're coming home with us."
"No."
"Emily—"
"This is Hailey's home."
"You shouldn't be alone."
"I'm not."
I looked at my daughter.
"I'm not alone."
Later, after everyone left, I checked the joint accounts.
The savings account showed a series of transfers I hadn't noticed.
Small at first.
Then larger.
The destination was an account I didn't recognize.
I printed everything.
At 11:42 p.m., the unknown number texted again.
You handled dinner better than I expected.
I typed immediately.
Who are you?
This time, a response appeared.
Someone Liam lied to too.
My pulse jumped.
Claire?
Three dots appeared.
No.
I sat straighter.
Then who?
A minute passed.
Then:
My name is Natalie Reed.
I didn't know the name.
How do you know Liam?
The reply came slowly.
I used to work with him.
Used to?
Until he made sure I didn't.
My stomach tightened.
Why are you helping me?
There was a long pause.
Because the money he took from you is connected to why I lost my job.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
And because Claire doesn't know the truth either.
Before I could respond, Natalie sent an address.
A coffee shop downtown.
Tomorrow. 10 a.m. Come alone.
I almost refused.
Then she sent one final photograph.
It showed Liam standing beside Claire.
But they weren't alone.
A third person stood with them.
I recognized him immediately.
My breath caught.
May you like
It was Liam's boss.
And in his hand was a folder with my name printed across the front.
