The Truth Behind the Perfect Marriage
Chapter 03 - The Truth Behind the Perfect Marriage
Emily screamed.
The emergency lights came on as the attorney pulled her away from Serena. An officer returned and placed Serena under guard, but she claimed she had only tried to protect Emily from the smoke.
Downstairs, security extinguished the fire. Martin Vale was found behind storage shelves with shredded records and an airline ticket in another name.
He refused to speak until Robert placed Claire’s ledger on the table.
Martin admitted that Serena had used the foundation to cover private investment losses. When Claire discovered the missing money, Serena persuaded him to alter reports and delay the audit. In return, she promised him part of Emily’s trust once Robert was declared incompetent.
Robert felt the betrayal like a physical blow. Martin had attended Claire’s wedding, held Emily at her baptism, and stood beside the family at the funeral.
But Martin revealed one fact Serena had hidden from everyone.
Before her final illness, Claire had written to Emily’s father, Michael Hayes, asking him to return. Michael and Claire had separated years earlier after a bitter argument. Serena intercepted every reply and convinced both sides that the other wanted no contact.
Emily had been told her father chose a new life and forgot her.
Martin opened a cloud account containing scanned letters. Michael had written every month for three years. He asked about Emily’s school, sent birthday gifts, and repeatedly requested permission to visit. Serena returned each package and forged Claire’s signature on a final letter telling him never to come back.
Robert turned toward his wife. “Why?”
“Because Claire’s marriage embarrassed this family,” Serena replied. “And because that man would have challenged the guardianship.”
The officers arrested Martin for fraud and attempted destruction of evidence. Serena was detained while investigators reviewed the recordings and documents.
Before leaving, Martin revealed one more detail. Claire had installed hidden cameras after noticing missing files. The original archive was stored remotely and could prove who entered her office before her death.
Robert contacted the security company.
Someone had accessed the archive that morning and scheduled every recording for permanent deletion at midnight.
The account recovery number belonged to Michael Hayes.
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For the first time, suspicion shifted toward the father Emily had never met.
And midnight was only forty-seven minutes away.
