Chapter 4 - The Family Celebration
Helen’s seventieth birthday was held at an expensive restaurant overlooking the Dallas skyline.
Jack paid for the private dining room, although Megan later learned the charge had been placed on a foundation-linked corporate card.
Helen raised a champagne glass.
“To my son, who has given this family everything.”
Lauren applauded. Olivia was not present, but Jack checked his phone beneath the table at least six times.
Megan sat beside Sophie, helping her cut a piece of steak. Ethan was describing a science project when Helen interrupted him.
“Tell your mother about Paris.”
The table fell silent.
Jack stared at Helen.
“What about Paris?” Megan asked.
Helen recovered quickly.
“Oh, nothing. I was telling the children that perhaps we should all travel there someday.”
Sophie looked confused.
“You said—”
Jack knocked over his water glass.
As the server rushed to clean it, Jack placed a firm hand on Sophie’s shoulder.
“Grandma was talking about a dream vacation.”
Megan met her daughter’s eyes. Sophie looked down.
After dinner, Megan found her alone outside the restroom.
“What did Grandma tell you about Paris?”
Sophie twisted the strap of her small purse.
“She said Dad wanted to surprise you.”
“When?”
“I’m not supposed to say.”
“You’re not in trouble.”
Sophie whispered, “She said maybe during spring break.”
Spring break was four months away.
Megan crouched in front of her.
“Did Dad say I was going?”
“I think so.”
The uncertainty in Sophie’s voice frightened her more than a definite answer would have.
On the drive home, Megan asked Jack whether he was planning a family trip.
He laughed.
“My mother talks too much.”
“So there is a trip?”
“I looked at prices. Nothing is booked.”
Megan nodded and watched the city lights through the window.
The next morning, Gerald called.
“We traced the loan against your house.”
“Where did the money go?”
“Four hundred thousand funded an overseas account controlled by Jack. Another two hundred thousand paid for a condominium.”
“Where?”
“Paris.”
Megan gripped the phone.
“Whose name is on it?”
“A holding company connected to Olivia Dane.”
The remaining money had paid legal fees, luxury purchases and private school deposits for the following year.
Jack was not simply having an affair.
He was constructing a replacement life.
He intended to use Megan’s home, her inheritance and money meant for sick children to finance it.
Gerald advised her to file for divorce immediately.
Megan nearly agreed.
Then Naomi discovered scheduled transfers that had not yet been completed. If Megan confronted Jack now, he could destroy records, move money or flee.
“We need one direct act connecting him to the final account,” Gerald said. “One instruction in his own voice or writing.”
“How long?”
“Not long. He’s becoming reckless.”
Megan thought of the Paris trip.
“When he believes he’s about to win, he’ll stop being careful.”
She instructed Gerald to prepare a sealed digital file containing every document they had collected. The file would be distributed to the hospital board, the foundation’s directors, the bank and law enforcement only upon Megan’s authorization.
“Why sealed?” Gerald asked.
“Because until I see what he’s planning to do with our children, part of me may still hesitate.”
Gerald looked at her sadly.
May you like
“Your hesitation is compassion, Megan. Not weakness.”
“Jack has spent years confusing the two.”
