Chapter 10 - Ethan Recorded Margaret’s Confession
Ethan had one more secret.
The old phone Margaret gave him automatically recorded voice notes when
he pressed a side button.
He had activated it accidentally during an earlier visit.
The recording captured Margaret speaking to Daniel in the next room.
Margaret said:
Once Laura loses control of the trust, the properties move. After that,
she can recover all she wants.
Daniel replied:
And Ethan?
Margaret answered:
He’ll adjust.
Then came the sentence that ended any remaining ambiguity.
If the boy keeps defending her, I’ll make sure the evaluator sees how
emotionally dependent he is.
Laura stopped the recording.
Daniel looked destroyed.
His voice was on it.
He had not challenged Margaret.
He had simply said:
Don’t scare him.
As if fear were acceptable in smaller amounts.
Laura looked at her husband.
“You knew she was using our son.”
Daniel whispered:
“I didn’t understand how far she’d go.”
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“You understood enough to tell her not to scare him.”
Daniel had no defense.
