Chapter 6
Daddy didn't answer Claire's message.
He saved it.
Then gave a copy to his lawyer.
Aunt Renee told me that was important.
When people threaten you, she said, keeping proof can help protect you.
I nodded.
But I still didn't understand why Claire was doing this.
She had a beautiful baby.
A husband who had loved her.
A house full of everything she wanted.
Why wasn't that enough?
The next morning, Daddy took me to school.
Usually, I rode with Aunt Renee when he had early meetings.
But he said he wanted to spend more time with me.
We drove through our neighborhood.
The trees were green.
Children were waiting at bus stops.
Everything looked normal.
Then I asked something that made Daddy go quiet.
"Are you going to divorce Claire?"
His hands tightened on the steering wheel.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Yes, princess."
I looked out the window.
"Because of Noah?"
Daddy shook his head.
"No."
I turned toward him.
"Then why?"
He took a breath.
"Because Claire broke important promises and hurt our family."
I thought about that.
"But Noah didn't."
His eyes softened.
"No. He didn't."
I smiled a little.
Then I asked, "Will you still love him?"
Daddy looked toward the road.
For a long moment, he didn't speak.
Finally, he said, "I care about him very much."
My chest felt warm.
"Me too."
He reached over and squeezed my hand.
I held it until we reached school.
That afternoon, my teacher noticed I wasn't concentrating.
Her name was Mrs. Coleman.
She was kind.
She knew my family had been having problems.
When the other students went to recess, she asked me to stay for a moment.
"Maya, sweetheart, how are you doing?"
I shrugged.
"Okay."
She looked at me.
"Really?"
I stared at my desk.
Then started crying.
I couldn't stop.
Mrs. Coleman sat beside me.
She didn't ask for every detail.
She simply handed me a tissue.
Then she said, "You can be sad without having to explain everything."
I looked up.
"Really?"
She smiled.
"Really."
I wiped my face.
Then whispered, "I think my family is breaking."
Her expression softened.
"I'm sorry you're going through that."
I looked down.
"I thought getting a brother would make everything better."
She took a breath.
"Sometimes families change in ways we don't expect."
I nodded.
"Does that mean they can't be happy again?"
She smiled gently.
"No, Maya."
I looked up.
"Families can find new ways to be happy."
I thought about those words all afternoon.
When Daddy picked me up, I told him what she said.
He smiled sadly.
"She's right."
I looked at him.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"We're going to build a peaceful life together."
I smiled.
Then asked, "Can Noah visit sometimes?"
Daddy's expression became careful.
"We'll see what arrangements are possible."
I nodded.
I was learning that some answers took time.
But I still hoped.
Over the next few weeks, Daddy worked with his lawyer and the trust administrator.
Uncle Daniel's access to certain accounts was suspended during the investigation.
The bank reviewed the disputed transfers.
Simone provided documents.
Other employees answered questions.
And slowly, the truth became clearer.
Daniel had been struggling financially.
His investments had failed.
He owed money.
And he believed Grandpa had treated Daddy better than him.
Instead of asking for help honestly, he tried to take control of family assets.
Claire had become involved.
At first, she helped him obtain information.
Then they began a relationship.
By the time she became pregnant, both knew there could be a serious problem.
But neither told Daddy.
They continued pretending everything was normal.
Daddy said the paternity report we saw at the hospital came from testing the adults had arranged after he discovered suspicious messages.
He'd agreed to confirm the truth before making accusations.
He didn't expect Claire to admit anything.
And he never expected Daniel to appear at the hospital.
I sat beside him while he explained.
Then asked something important.
"Daddy, why didn't you tell me before Noah was born?"
His face changed.
"Because I was hoping I was wrong."
I nodded.
He looked sad.
"I should have prepared you more carefully."
I touched his hand.
"It's okay."
He shook his head.
"No, baby. It wasn't fair to surprise you with all that."
I thought about the hospital.
The crying.
The shouting.
The way Claire grabbed me.
Then I nodded.
"Yeah."
Daddy pulled me close.
"I'm sorry."
I hugged him.
For the first time, I felt like he was really listening.
Later that evening, Aunt Renee came over with dinner.
She brought fried chicken and macaroni.
My favorites.
We sat at the table together.
For a little while, everything felt peaceful.
Then Daddy's phone rang.
His expression changed when he answered.
"Angela?"
He listened.
Then stood.
"What do you mean there's another agreement?"
Aunt Renee looked up.
Daddy frowned.
"Who signed it?"
His face turned pale.
After several seconds, he ended the call.
I stared at him.
"Daddy?"
He sat down slowly.
Aunt Renee leaned forward.
"What happened?"
Daddy looked at us.
"Daniel filed documents claiming he has sole authority over Noah's future financial benefits from the trust."
Aunt Renee frowned.
"But Noah's benefits depend on the trust terms."
Daddy nodded.
"Exactly."
Then he added something that made the room go silent.
"He's also claiming I agreed to waive any challenge to the disputed transfers."
I stared at Daddy.
"Did you?"
He shook his head.
"No."
I swallowed.
"Then somebody lied again?"
His face hardened.
May you like
"Yes, sweetheart."
And I understood that Uncle Daniel wasn't ready to stop.
