Chapter 7 - The Evidence Behind the Smile
Brooke was released from the hospital while investigators reviewed the evidence.
She believed she still had time to destroy anything connecting her to the forged document.
But Vincent knew how she worked.
She had spent months managing Hale Development’s communications systems. Every decision had left a digital trail somewhere.
He ordered an independent technology firm to examine company devices, cloud backups, security records, and archived emails.
He also removed Brooke’s access to every Hale Development account.
The discoveries came quickly.
Security footage showed Brooke using Vincent’s phone during the week Emma announced her pregnancy.
Deleted message records proved that she had communicated with the photographer who followed Emma and Daniel.
Bank transfers connected Brooke to Aaron Pike, the hospital records clerk.
A company calendar showed that Brooke had repeatedly changed Vincent’s schedule whenever Emma attempted to visit him.
The most painful evidence was an audio file saved automatically by Vincent’s office conference system.
It contained a conversation between Brooke and one of her assistants.
I don’t need Emma to stop loving him, Brooke said. I only need her to believe he stopped loving her first.
Vincent listened to the recording alone.
When it ended, he sat in silence for a long time.
Brooke had created the lies.
But Vincent had chosen to believe them.
He had known Emma’s character. He had known her loyalty and honesty. Yet when doubt entered his mind, he had demanded that she defend herself rather than defending the relationship they had built.
No investigation could erase his responsibility.
Emma remained in the hospital for six days.
Samuel stayed longer.
Vincent visited every day but never entered Emma’s room without permission.
He sat outside, brought documents from the investigation, and answered every question honestly.
On the third day, Emma allowed him inside.
She looked stronger, though exhaustion remained in her eyes.
Vincent placed a folder on the table beside her.
“This contains everything we found.”
Emma did not touch it.
“I don’t want to read messages proving she hated me.”
“It also proves you were telling the truth.”
“I already knew I was telling the truth.”
The words struck him.
“You’re right.”
Emma looked toward the window.
Vincent remained standing.
“I failed you.”
She said nothing.
“I could blame Brooke for manipulating me, but she could only do that because I let suspicion become more important than what I knew about you.”
Emma’s voice was quiet.
“You asked whether Samuel was yours.”
“I will regret that question for the rest of my life.”
“You saw me lying there after delivering him alone, and part of you still wondered.”
“Yes.”
He did not attempt to defend himself.
Emma finally looked at him.
“Why should I trust you again?”
“You shouldn’t,” Vincent said. “Not yet.”
She seemed surprised.
“I’m not asking you to forget what happened. I’m asking for the chance to become someone Samuel can depend on.”
“And me?”
“I want to become someone you can depend on too. But that choice belongs to you.”
Emma studied his face.
For months, Brooke had described Vincent as a man who intended to control her and take her child.
The man standing before her was not making demands.
He looked broken.
But being broken did not automatically make him trustworthy.
“You can visit Samuel,” she said. “With me or Lena present.”
Vincent nodded.
“That’s enough.”
As he turned toward the door, Emma spoke again.
“Brooke told me you were going to take full custody.”
Vincent stopped.
“I would never do that.”
“She made me believe you would.”
He turned back.
“I’ll sign any agreement your attorney recommends. You will have full decision-making authority until you decide otherwise.”
May you like
Emma’s eyes filled, but she did not cry.
For the first time since the night she left the penthouse, she felt that the ground beneath her might eventually become steady again.
