Chapter 4 - The Name Behind the Door
At 6:30 a.m., Claire received a message from Daniel.
Be ready at seven.
Nothing else.
She dressed simply.
No expensive clothes.
No jewelry.
No attempt to impress anyone.
When she walked downstairs, Ethan was already waiting.
"We need to talk."
Claire stopped.
"About what?"
"You knew."
"I knew my brother was important."
"You knew more than that."
"No."
Ethan stepped closer.
"Did you know he could destroy my career?"
Claire looked at him.
"I don't know what he can do."
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm not."
He stared at her.
Then his voice lowered.
"Claire, if you have anything to do with this, I swear..."
She interrupted.
"You're swearing what?"
Ethan stopped.
Claire's voice remained calm.
"For years you made me feel small because you thought I had nothing."
She looked at the wedding ring lying on the table.
"I believed you because you were my husband."
She turned back to him.
"That was my mistake."
A black sedan stopped outside.
Daniel stepped out.
Ethan watched through the window.
Daniel looked up.
Their eyes met.
Neither man looked away.
Daniel entered the house.
"Claire."
"I'm ready."
Ethan stepped between them.
"We need to settle this."
Daniel looked at him.
"Not here."
"You don't get to walk into my house and threaten me."
Daniel remained calm.
"I didn't threaten you."
He nodded toward the document.
"I warned you."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"Who are you?"
Daniel paused.
Then said,
"Someone you should have researched before humiliating my sister."
He turned to Claire.
"Come."
Claire followed.
As they reached the door, Ethan called after them.
"Claire."
She stopped.
Ethan's voice was different now.
Almost pleading.
"Please."
She turned.
"What?"
He hesitated.
"I didn't know."
Claire studied him.
"That's the problem."
Then she left.
The car disappeared into Manhattan traffic.
Ethan remained standing in the doorway.
His father approached him.
"You should have listened to her."
Ethan looked at him.
"To whom?"
May you like
His father glanced toward the street.
"Your wife."
