Chapter 7
I looked at Ethan.
His face had become so pale that I feared he might faint.
"What is it?"
He sat down heavily.
"Madison asked me to move money from my savings account."
I closed my eyes.
"How much?"
"Seventy-five thousand dollars."
The number struck me.
Daniel and I had worked our entire lives to teach Ethan financial responsibility.
He had saved diligently after college.
He had been proud of having enough money for a down payment on a home.
"Did you give it to her?"
He nodded.
"Three months ago."
"Why?"
"She said she had an opportunity to invest in a property development."
Robert leaned forward.
"Was Victor Shaw involved?"
Ethan nodded again.
"I didn't know they had dated."
I could hear the shame in his voice.
"I thought he was a legitimate adviser."
"Do you have any records?" Robert asked.
"Bank transfers. Emails. Everything."
Robert nodded.
"Keep them. You'll need professional advice about recovering the money."
Ethan covered his face.
"I've been such an idiot."
I wanted to tell him he hadn't.
But that wouldn't be fair.
He had ignored warning signs.
He had accepted Madison's stories.
And when she assaulted me, he had chosen silence.
Still, I could see that my son was suffering.
So I told him something true.
"You made serious mistakes. That doesn't mean your life is over."
He looked up.
Tears ran down his face.
"How can you still say that to me?"
"Because you're my son."
I paused.
"But loving you doesn't mean I'll pretend none of this happened."
He nodded.
"I don't want you to."
It was the first encouraging thing he had said all day.
A few minutes later, Robert's phone rang again.
He stepped into the hallway.
When he returned, his face was grim.
"Victor Shaw has been contacted by investigators."
I looked up.
"What did he say?"
"He's denying everything."
Ethan laughed bitterly.
"Of course he is."
Robert continued.
"However, the company associated with the proposed property sale has been asked to preserve its records."
I rubbed my temples.
"Will that stop anyone from selling my house?"
"The recorded title remains yours. We're taking additional steps to flag the disputed paperwork and notify the parties involved."
I nodded.
That was enough for the moment.
I couldn't solve everything in one afternoon.
But the problems were no longer invisible.
And I was no longer facing them alone.
At almost six o'clock, Natalie returned.
Most of the guests had left.
The caterers were packing unused food.
The ballroom looked painfully empty.
A wedding cake stood untouched beneath a chandelier.
I walked downstairs with Robert.
Ethan followed several steps behind.
As we passed the entrance, I saw a few guests lingering outside.
Some looked at my torn dress.
Others looked away.
I understood.
People rarely know where to place their eyes when someone's private life has become public.
Natalie approached me quietly.
"We've arranged for the remaining food to be donated through our usual approved partner, with the caterer's agreement."
"Thank you."
She hesitated.
"I'm very sorry, Claire."
I touched her arm.
"You've been kind."
She smiled sadly.
Then I noticed a woman standing near the front door.
She wore a dark green coat and held a small handbag.
For a moment, I didn't recognize her.
Then she turned.
It was Rebecca Collins.
Madison's mother.
I had met her twice before.
She had always seemed polished, distant, and uncomfortable with emotional conversations.
Now she looked exhausted.
"Claire," she said.
I stopped.
"Rebecca."
Her eyes moved toward my cheek.
She covered her mouth.
"Oh, my God."
I waited.
She stepped closer.
"Lauren told me what happened."
I nodded.
Rebecca's eyes filled.
"I am so sorry."
Something in her voice sounded genuine.
But I had no energy left for anyone else's feelings.
"Thank you."
She glanced toward Ethan.
Then back at me.
"Madison called me. She said you ruined the wedding."
I remained silent.
Rebecca lowered her head.
"I didn't believe her."
I looked at her with surprise.
"Why not?"
She took a shaky breath.
"Because I've heard that story before."
My heart tightened.
"What story?"
Rebecca looked toward the empty ballroom.
"Every time Madison hurts someone, she says they forced her."
I studied her face.
There was sadness there.
And guilt.
"Rebecca, what are you telling me?"
She swallowed.
"When Madison was twenty-three, she convinced her grandmother to lend her money for a business."
"How much?"
"Forty thousand dollars."
"What happened?"
"The business never existed."
I stared at her.
Rebecca wiped her eyes.
"We discovered the money had gone to Victor."
I felt sick.
"Did you report it?"
"Her grandmother refused. Madison promised to repay everything."
"Did she?"
"Some of it."
Rebecca paused.
"Claire, I should have warned Ethan."
My son made a small sound behind me.
Rebecca turned toward him.
"I'm sorry."
Ethan looked devastated.
"You knew?"
"I knew about the old situation. I didn't know it was happening again."
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he walked away.
I started after him.
But Rebecca touched my arm.
"Claire, there's something else."
I stopped.
She opened her handbag.
Inside was a small envelope.
Madison's name was written across the front.
"She left this at my house last week. She told me to mail it if anything happened to her."
My stomach tightened.
"What is it?"
Rebecca looked frightened.
"I opened it this morning."
May you like
She held out the envelope.
"Claire, there's a copy of your driver's license inside."
