Chapter 5: The Son Who Looked Away
Daniel stared at the phone.
“I never uploaded anything.”
The bank representative answered through the speaker.
“The account used your email address, and the security code was sent to your number.”
Tiffany wiped away her tears.
“Daniel, tell them you approved it.”
His head snapped toward her.
“You told me the code was for our apartment application.”
“I said it was for our future.”
“You said we were applying for a rental.”
“We couldn’t raise a baby in that place.”
I stood and faced him.
“Did you send her the code?”
Daniel’s mouth opened, but no answer came.
“Daniel.”
“Yes.”
The word silenced the room.
Tiffany straightened.
“There.
He approved it.
This is a family misunderstanding, not fraud.”
“I approved a security code,” Daniel said.
“I did not approve taking money from my mother’s house.”
“You knew we needed money.”
“I thought your mother was helping us.”
Elaine reached for the door handle.
“I was helping.
I notarized what Tiffany gave me.”
“Without seeing me sign it?” I asked.
“You had already agreed to pay for everything.”
“A wedding is not my house.”
Tiffany stepped between us.
“You have two homes and plenty of savings.
We need a start.”
“You spent forty-five thousand dollars of my money in one day.”
“You offered it.”
“I offered a wedding.
You tried to take seventy-eight thousand more.”
Daniel’s phone began vibrating.
Tiffany grabbed it first.
“Leave it.”
He took it from her and read the screen.
“It’s a message from Dr.
Benson’s office.”
Tiffany reached for the phone.
“Daniel, not here.”
He held it away and read aloud.
“‘Your consultation has been moved to next Thursday.
Please note that pregnancy confirmation testing was not completed at your last visit.’”
Elaine spoke quickly.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
Daniel looked at Tiffany.
“Have you taken a test?”
“I know my body.”
“Have you taken a test?”
“This is exactly why I wanted to wait.”
Chloe folded her arms.
“You drank champagne during the toast.”
“One glass doesn’t prove anything.”
Daniel’s voice shook.
“You told me a doctor confirmed it.”
“I said I had spoken to a doctor.”
“No.
You said, ‘The doctor says we’re having a baby.’”
Tiffany’s tears disappeared.
“Fine.
I may have spoken too soon.
But I am late, and the stress your mother caused could change everything.”
She pointed at me.
“If anything happens, it will be her fault.”
Daniel moved in front of me for the first time that night.
“Don’t put that on her.”
Tiffany stared at him.
“You’re choosing her?”
“I’m asking you to tell the truth.”
“You want truth?
She never believed you could build a life without her money.”
I looked at Daniel.
“Did I ever say that?”
“No.”
“She didn’t need to,” Tiffany said.
“Every check said it for her.”
Mr.
Patel placed the bank documents inside the folder.
“The ballroom must close in twenty minutes.
The basic dinner service is paid, but all canceled services remain canceled.”
Elaine pulled out her credit card.
“I’ll pay for the bar and hotel.”
Mr.
Patel shook his head.
“Not tonight.
Given the disputed documents, no additional charges will be accepted from your party.”
Tiffany turned to the guests.
“Do you see what she’s doing?
She planned this humiliation.”
An older man at the nearest table stood.
He was Daniel’s uncle, Robert.
“No,” he said.
“We saw what you did to her.”
Another guest placed her napkin on the table.
Then three more stood.
Tiffany seized Daniel’s arm.
“If you walk out with her, you will never see me—or your child—again.”
Daniel looked at me, then at the woman he had just married.
His arm slowly dropped to his side.
“I need time.”
Tiffany smiled because she thought hesitation meant victory.
“You have until morning.”
My phone rang.
It was Grace Holloway, the attorney who had handled Michael’s estate.
“I received the documents you sent,” she said.
“Do not let Tiffany leave with that envelope.”
“Why?”
“Because the loan application isn’t the first document carrying your false signature.”
I gripped the phone.
“How many are there?”
May you like
“At least four,” Grace said.
“And one of them gives Daniel access to everything you own.”
