Chapter 6 - The Evidence
During the drive, Ethan attempted to explain.
“Madison overreacted.”
Linda stared ahead from the passenger seat.
“To what?”
“She keeps money separate from me.”
“Did you take it?”
“I borrowed it.”
“Did she agree?”
“She would have refused.”
Linda turned toward him.
“So you did not ask.”
“I was going to repay everything after my company succeeded.”
“You spent her money on my party?”
Ethan tightened his hands around the steering wheel.
“It was supposed to help my reputation. Important people were there.”
“And the car?”
“It would have made you happy.”
Linda slowly removed the diamond bracelet Ethan had given her that morning.
“Where did this come from?”
He said nothing.
She placed it inside the gift bag.
At the hospital entrance, Officer Hayes was waiting.
Ethan immediately became defensive.
“Why is there a police officer here?”
“Hospital administration requested assistance because Mrs. Cole reported concerns about unauthorized access to her finances and possible confrontation.”
“She is my wife.”
“That does not give you unrestricted access to her room.”
Linda looked at Ethan as though she no longer recognized him.
Inside Room 305, Madison held Lily near the window.
For one second, Ethan’s face softened.
“That’s my daughter.”
Madison did not respond.
“I’m sorry I missed it,” he said. “The party became complicated.”
Nadia stepped forward with the divorce file.
“Your wife’s labor was not an inconvenience competing with a party.”
Ethan’s embarrassment turned to anger.
“You filled her head with this.”
“No,” Madison said. “You did.”
Nadia placed a small recorder on the table and pressed a button.
Ethan’s voice filled the room.
She’ll never approve it. Just use the signature from the insurance form.
A second voice, belonging to his business partner, asked whether Madison might discover the loan.
Ethan laughed on the recording.
Not until the party is over.
Linda stumbled backward.
“You forged her signature.”
Ethan looked at his mother.
May you like
“I did it for us.”
“No,” Linda replied. “You did it because you believed no one would stop you.”
