Chapter 2: The Dark Navy Envelope
“What is that?”
Nathaniel’s voice was quieter now.
Sophia watched him cross the dining room, his earlier irritation replaced by the first flicker of uncertainty. He placed his jacket over the back of a chair and reached for the envelope.
Sophia moved her hand over it.
“Sit down.”
Nathaniel stared at her.
“I’m not in the mood for one of your dramatic conversations.”
“Neither am I.”
Something in her tone made him pause.
Nathaniel slowly lowered himself into the chair opposite her. Beneath the warm pendant lights, the scarlet mark under his collar looked painfully bright.
Sophia pushed the envelope across the table.
He opened it impatiently.
The first page was a petition for divorce.
The second notified him that emergency motions had been filed to freeze every account connected to the Bennett Family Trust and Bennett Hope Foundation.
Behind those were copies of wire transfers, property deeds, credit-card records, and photographs of Camille Hart entering a condominium Nathaniel had secretly financed.
Nathaniel’s face changed page by page.
Confusion.
Recognition.
Then fear.
“Where did you get these?”
“Your office.”
“You went through my private files?”
“Our marriage was supposed to have no private life that endangered our family.”
He threw the documents onto the table.
“This isn’t what it looks like.”
Sophia glanced at his collar.
Nathaniel instinctively adjusted it.
“Camille is a business associate.”
“Do you usually buy beachfront estates for your business associates?”
His jaw tightened.
“The investments were temporary.”
“You used foundation money.”
“I moved funds. I was going to replace them.”
“With what?”
Nathaniel rose abruptly.
“You don’t understand how these transactions work.”
“I understand that money intended for sick children paid for another woman’s jewelry.”
“That is not what happened.”
“Then explain it.”
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Sophia stood carefully, one hand supporting the weight of her belly.
“The locks will be changed tomorrow. Your personal belongings have been packed and delivered to the Cross Hotel.”
Nathaniel stared at her.
“You can’t throw me out of my own home.”
“The apartment belongs to the Bennett Trust. It always has.”
His face hardened.
“You planned this.”
“I protected myself after discovering what you planned.”
He stepped closer.
“Sophia, you are seven months pregnant. You are emotional. You are not thinking clearly.”
For the first time that night, anger entered her eyes.
“No, Nathaniel. I have never thought more clearly.”
The baby shifted beneath her hand.
Sophia picked up her phone.
“The private elevator has been disabled for your access card. Security is waiting downstairs.”
Nathaniel looked toward the hallway leading to the unfinished nursery.
“You’re really doing this?”
Sophia followed his gaze.
“No.”
She met his eyes.
“You did this.”
Minutes later, the elevator doors closed behind him.
Sophia stood alone in the apartment.
May you like
But for the first time in years, she did not feel abandoned.
She felt free.
