Chapter 1 - THE FOLDER ON THE TABLE
Jennifer opened the folder.
The first page was a printed screenshot of Daniel’s conversation with Chloe.
Daniel stared at it.
His face changed instantly.
His mother leaned forward.
“What is that?”
Daniel reached across the table.
Jennifer placed her hand over the papers before he could touch them.
“Don’t.”
Her voice was quiet.
That frightened him more than shouting would have.
“Jennifer.”
“Give me the folder.”
“No.”
A few guests nearby stopped gathering their coats.
Daniel’s father slowly lowered his glass.
Jennifer removed the first screenshot and placed it on the table.
The message was highlighted.
I transferred the money this morning.
Use whatever you need for the hospital.
Chloe’s reply was underneath.
You always take care of us.
Daniel swallowed.
His mother frowned.
“Who is Chloe?”
Daniel answered too quickly.
“An old friend.”
Jennifer looked at him.
“Then tell your mother why you sent your old friend fifteen thousand dollars while I was pregnant.”
Daniel’s mother turned toward him.
“Fifteen thousand?”
“It isn’t what she thinks.”
Jennifer almost smiled.
“You don’t know what I think.”
Daniel glanced around the ballroom.
Several coworkers were now watching.
His boss stood near the exit, pretending not to listen.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Can we discuss this at home?”
“No.”
“Jennifer.”
“You wanted everyone here.”
She looked around the expensive ballroom.
“You invited your parents.”
“Your clients.”
“Your coworkers.”
“You wanted everyone to see what a wonderful husband and father you are.”
“So they can see the rest too.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“This is Lily’s baptism.”
Jennifer’s expression hardened.
“Exactly.”
“And you used money we saved for Lily to pay another woman’s hospital bills.”
Daniel’s mother whispered.
“What?”
Jennifer removed the bank statements.
Daniel stood abruptly.
“Enough.”
The single word echoed across the room.
Lily stirred in the bassinet near Jennifer’s mother.
Jennifer glanced toward her daughter.
Then back at Daniel.
She remained seated.
“No.”
Daniel looked at her as if he had never heard that word from her before.
“No?”
“No.”
The event manager approached carefully.
“Mr. Reynolds, I’m sorry, but we still need a payment method for the remaining balance.”
Daniel looked at Jennifer.
The expectation in his eyes was almost insulting.
Jennifer slid the bill toward him again.
“Your card.”
Daniel whispered through clenched teeth.
“You know my card won’t clear that.”
There it was.
Jennifer slowly looked up.
His mother heard it too.
“Why wouldn’t your card clear?”
Daniel froze.
Jennifer reached into the folder again.
“Because Chloe wasn’t the only thing Daniel spent our money on.”
Daniel’s face went pale for the second time.
Jennifer placed another bank statement on the table.
This one showed a withdrawal for twenty-eight thousand dollars.
Daniel’s father stood.
“Where did that money go?”
Daniel said nothing.
Jennifer looked at him.
May you like
“I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
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