Chapter 2 - The Video Shows Sophia’s Real Plan
Ethan pressed play again.
The ballroom disappeared behind the sound coming from Noah’s phone.
Sophia stood in Ethan’s home office three nights earlier, unaware that
Noah had left his phone recording on a bookshelf after filming a school
project.
A man Ethan recognized as his family attorney, Marcus Hale, stood beside
her.
Sophia’s voice was unmistakable.
“Once we’re married, Ethan signs the revised trust. After that, Noah
can’t stop anything.”
Ethan went cold.
On the screen, Marcus asked, “And if the boy tells him?”
Sophia answered, “Then we make Ethan believe Noah is acting out because
he misses his mother.”
Noah stared at the floor.
Ethan felt something inside him break.
His late wife, Rachel, had died four years earlier. Noah had struggled
with nightmares and separation anxiety afterward, but he had never used
Rachel’s death to manipulate Ethan.
Sophia had.
The video continued.
Marcus placed documents on Ethan’s desk.
A revised family trust.
A guardianship petition.
And a psychiatric evaluation of Noah.
Ethan stopped the recording.
“I never authorized an evaluation.”
Sophia swallowed.
“It was precautionary.”
“For what?”
“You don’t understand how unstable he’s been.”
Noah looked up.
“I’m not crazy.”
Ethan immediately crouched beside him.
“I know.”
Victoria remained several feet away.
She had been Rachel’s closest friend and Noah’s godmother, but after
Rachel died, she gradually disappeared from Ethan’s life.
Sophia had told Ethan Victoria blamed him for Rachel’s death.
Now Victoria looked at Sophia.
“Show him the rest.”
Sophia snapped, “There is no rest.”
Noah’s fingers tightened around the phone.
“Yes, there is.”
He opened another file.
This one was not video.
It was an audio recording.
Marcus’s voice said, “Victoria still has Rachel’s original trust.”
Sophia answered, “Then get it before the wedding.”
Ethan turned toward Victoria.
“What original trust?”
Victoria reached into her handbag.
Sophia moved toward her.
Security stepped between them.
Victoria removed a sealed envelope.
“Rachel changed Noah’s inheritance six weeks before she died.”
Ethan stared.
“I was her husband. Why didn’t I know?”
“Because she was afraid someone inside your family office was stealing
from the trust.”
Ethan looked toward Marcus.
The attorney had disappeared from the ballroom.
Noah whispered, “Dad.”
Ethan looked at him.
May you like
The boy pointed toward the rear doors.
Marcus was running.
