Chapter 7 - The Message Sent Before TakeoffAdam spent the next hour typing messages that would not send.
The aircraft’s internet connection worked, but his corporate accounts had been disabled.
He tried calling three executives. None answered.
Finally, he turned toward Trinity.
“You need to listen to me.”
She stared through the window.
“I’ve been listening to you for eleven months.”
“I did all of this for us.”
“You told me Dakota had abandoned you.”
“She was never home.”
“She was working.”
“She chose that job over our marriage.”
Dakota heard him while collecting glasses nearby.
For years, Adam had praised her independence. He had encouraged her to work extra routes when they were paying the mortgage. He had celebrated every bonus when the money benefited him.
Now her career had become his excuse.
Trinity shook her head.
“You told me she spent your money.”
Adam lowered his voice.
“She did.”
Dakota stopped beside them.
“My salary paid sixty-eight percent of our mortgage.”
Adam looked up sharply.
“You shouldn’t be discussing finances in public.”
“You discussed them first.”
Trinity’s eyes narrowed.
“You told me you paid for the house yourself.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters because you used that house to fund my store.”
Adam looked trapped.
“The business will make the money back.”
“The contractor hasn’t been paid. The company account is nearly empty.”
“What?”
“I checked before boarding.”
Adam’s expression shifted from fear to calculation.
“How empty?”
“Seventeen thousand dollars.”
“That’s impossible.”
Trinity laughed bitterly.
“Is that the part that concerns you?”
Adam ignored the question.
“What happened to the rest?”
“Rent, inventory, legal costs, and the payments you told me were investments.”
Dakota saw panic spreading across his face.
Adam had expected Trinity’s company to become valuable quickly. He had used borrowed money as though future success were guaranteed.
Now the house was under investigation, the company money was gone, and Hawthorne wanted answers.
Trinity removed a necklace from her throat.
It was a delicate diamond pendant.
Adam had purchased it using Dakota’s joint credit card.
Trinity placed it on his tray.
“I don’t want anything you bought with her money.”
Adam pushed it back.
“Don’t be dramatic.”
Trinity’s expression hardened.
“You told me your wife was cold and greedy. You said you were afraid she would destroy your reputation if you left.”
She looked toward Dakota.
“She hasn’t raised her voice once.”
Adam leaned closer to Trinity.
“She planned this humiliation. Doesn’t that tell you what kind of person she is?”
Dakota turned.
“No, Adam. You planned the humiliation.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You brought your pregnant mistress onto my aircraft while wearing the watch I gave you, using tickets billed to a fake corporate meeting.”
She glanced at the passengers around them.
“I simply arrived at work.”
Several passengers looked away, pretending they had not been listening.
Trinity folded her arms.
“What happens when we land?”
Adam answered too quickly.
“Nothing. I’ll handle it.”
Dakota took a sealed envelope from her uniform pocket and placed it on his tray.
Adam stared at it.
“What is this?”
“A copy of the notice Hawthorne sent before departure.”
He opened the envelope.
The letter informed him that independent investigators and company representatives would meet the aircraft at the gate. He was required to surrender his corporate devices.
The disputed expenses exceeded $86,000.
The forged loan was being referred to the authorities.
Adam crushed the edge of the paper.
“You’re enjoying this.”
Dakota considered the accusation.
“No.”
Her voice softened.
“I’m grieving the man I thought I married.”
For the first time, Adam seemed unable to answer.
Dakota continued down the aisle.
May you like
Behind her, Trinity began asking questions.
This time, Adam had no lie large enough to cover the truth.
