Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW
I didn't invite Evelyn inside.
Something about her made me uneasy.
Not because she looked dangerous.
Because she looked frightened.
People who come to your house uninvited and ask about secret evidence rarely bring good news.
"How do you know about the drive?" I asked.
Evelyn looked toward the street.
"Because I helped create it."
My stomach tightened.
"What is on it?"
She shook her head.
"Not here."
"Then where?"
"At the wedding."
I stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because Julian needs to hear it in front of witnesses."
That confirmed everything.
Someone was deliberately building a public trap.
But why?
"What did Julian do?"
Evelyn looked at Noah.
"Your son shouldn't hear this."
Noah stepped forward.
"I'm the one who has it."
Evelyn looked at him.
For the first time, she smiled.
"Yes."
She knelt.
"Your father doesn't know what you've been given."
"He knows about the box."
Her smile disappeared.
"Then we have less time than I thought."
I stepped between them.
"Tell me."
Evelyn stood.
"Three years ago, Julian didn't just have an affair with Victoria."
"I know."
"No."
Her voice was quiet.
"You know about the affair."
She looked directly at me.
"You don't know why Victoria stayed."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"She didn't stay because she loved him."
"Then why?"
Evelyn hesitated.
"Because she needed something from him."
"What?"
"I don't know."
I didn't believe her.
"You came here knowing my son had evidence. You know about Julian's affair. You know Victoria has another reason for marrying him. And you expect me to believe you don't know what it is?"
Evelyn looked away.
"I know enough to be afraid."
Then she reached into her coat.
I tensed.
She pulled out a photograph.
She handed it to me.
It showed Julian.
Victoria.
And another man.
Standing outside a bank.
The date was two months before my divorce.
I recognized the man.
He had been at our house once.
A friend of Julian's.
A financial consultant.
Evelyn said:
"His name is Grant Hale."
"Victoria's father?"
She nodded.
"He died six months ago."
I stared at the photograph.
"What does he have to do with Julian?"
"Everything."
My phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
I answered.
No one spoke.
Then a man's voice whispered:
"Do not trust Evelyn."
The line went dead.
I looked at her.
She saw my expression.
"Who was it?"
"I don't know."
Evelyn took a step backward.
"They've found me."
"Who?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked at Noah.
"Listen to me carefully."
Noah nodded.
"If your father asks you for the drive, don't give it to him."
"Why?"
"Because he will destroy it."
I stared at her.
"Why would Julian destroy evidence?"
Evelyn looked at me.
"Because your ex-husband isn't the man you think he is."
She turned to leave.
I grabbed her arm.
"You don't get to come here, terrify my son, and walk away."
Evelyn looked down at my hand.
Then whispered:
"Your divorce papers were altered."
I released her.
"What?"
"One page was replaced."
"Which page?"
"The financial disclosure."
My heart stopped.
"Why?"
"Because there was an account Julian didn't want you to know about."
"What account?"
Evelyn looked toward Noah.
"One that was created before you married him."
I stared at her.
"Whose name?"
She whispered:
"Your son's."
Then she walked away.
---
I didn't tell Noah what Evelyn had said.
Not yet.
We drove to the wedding in silence.
The venue was a luxury hotel in downtown Dallas.
The ballroom was enormous.
Crystal chandeliers.
White roses.
Gold table settings.
Nearly two hundred guests.
Julian had spared no expense.
Of course he hadn't.
This was his perfect life.
His perfect bride.
His perfect career.
His perfect reputation.
And apparently, his perfect wedding.
Victoria looked beautiful.
She wore an ivory gown with a long train.
When she saw me enter, her smile disappeared for half a second.
Then it returned.
She approached.
"Claire."
"Victoria."
Her eyes moved to Noah.
"Hi, sweetheart."
Noah said nothing.
Victoria looked uncomfortable.
"You look so grown up."
Noah stared at her.
"You're marrying my dad."
Victoria smiled.
"Yes."
"Did you love him when he was married to Mom?"
The smile vanished.
I closed my eyes.
"Noah."
But Victoria couldn't answer.
She finally said:
"That's a complicated question."
Noah nodded.
"I know."
Then he walked away.
Victoria watched him.
Then looked at me.
"He's angry."
"He's hurt."
"He'll understand someday."
I stared at her.
"Understand what?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she smiled.
"Enjoy the evening."
She walked away.
I watched her go.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Then I saw Julian.
He stood across the ballroom surrounded by his partners.
He looked happy.
Until his eyes met mine.
His smile disappeared.
Then his gaze dropped to Noah.
Then to the pocket of Noah's jacket.
The USB.
His face changed.
May you like
For the first time that evening, Julian looked afraid.
---
