Chapter 10 - THE DINNER THAT ENDED EVERYTHING
The final dinner began at eight.
Claire arrived at seven fifty-five.
Ethan was already seated.
Diane and Richard were waiting.
Claire noticed the room immediately.
The atmosphere was different.
No casual conversation.
No wine.
No music.
No staff.
Only family.
Ethan stood.
“Sit down.”
Claire sat.
Diane looked nervous.
Richard looked exhausted.
Ethan placed a document on the table.
“We need to settle this.”
Claire looked at it.
“What is it?”
“A financial agreement.”
Claire almost smiled.
“You want me to sign something?”
“I want peace.”
“You want control.”
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“Why do you make everything difficult?”
Claire looked at him.
“Because you keep asking me to sign things I don't understand.”
“You understand enough.”
“No.”
She pushed the document back.
“I understand that you need something.”
Ethan leaned forward.
“You owe this family.”
Claire's expression changed.
“That's what you believe?”
“Yes.”
“Then tonight is going to be educational.”
Diane interrupted.
“Stop threatening my son.”
Claire looked at her.
“I haven't threatened anyone.”
Richard finally spoke.
“Claire.”
She turned.
“Did you know about Daniel?”
Richard froze.
Ethan looked at him.
“What does Daniel have to do with this?”
Claire watched Richard.
He said nothing.
That silence was enough.
Claire stood.
“You lied to me.”
Richard lowered his head.
“You lied to your son.”
Ethan looked furious.
“Dad?”
Richard finally said:
“Daniel knew.”
“Knew what?”
“Everything.”
Ethan looked at Claire.
“What did he tell you?”
Claire smiled.
“Enough.”
Ethan stood.
“You've been meeting him?”
“Yes.”
“Behind my back?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I couldn't trust you.”
Ethan stared.
Claire reached into her handbag.
She placed three envelopes on the table.
Diane stared.
“What are those?”
Claire said:
“Goodbye.”
Ethan laughed.
“You're bluffing.”
Claire touched the first envelope.
“Divorce.”
Second.
“Eviction.”
Third.
She paused.
“This one is different.”
Ethan reached for it.
Claire pulled it away.
“No.”
“Give it to me.”
“Not yet.”
“What is it?”
“The document that explains why your family is terrified.”
Richard stood suddenly.
“Claire.”
She looked at him.
“You know what it is.”
Richard's face went pale.
Diane looked between them.
“What is happening?”
Claire answered:
“You should ask your husband.”
Richard whispered:
“Please.”
Claire shook her head.
“You had years to tell the truth.”
She stood.
“I gave you eighteen months.”
Ethan slammed his hand on the table.
“You're not leaving.”
Claire looked at him.
“Yes.”
“You're my wife.”
“Not for much longer.”
“You can't destroy this family.”
Claire's expression became cold.
“I didn't.”
She picked up her handbag.
“You built it on a lie.”
Then she walked away.
Behind her, Ethan shouted:
“Claire!”
She stopped at the doorway.
He expected her to turn around.
Instead she said:
“Tomorrow.”
Then she left.
The next morning, the mansion would change hands.
But Claire still hadn't opened the third envelope.
Because Laura had warned her not to.
May you like
Not until the bank confirmed one final detail.
And that confirmation was coming in the morning.
