Chapter 8 - What Michael Really Wanted
Caroline confronted Michael that evening.
He was standing near the bar, laughing with guests.
She approached him quietly.
“We need to talk.”
He smiled.
“Of course.”
“About my father.”
His smile disappeared.
Only for a moment.
But she saw it.
“What about him?”
“Did your father know mine?”
Michael's eyes moved toward Margaret.
Then back to Caroline.
“Why are you asking?”
“Answer me.”
He lowered his voice.
“Not here.”
“Why not?”
“Because this isn't the place.”
“You've made this the place.”
He looked around.
“Caroline.”
“Did you know my father?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Our families did business together.”
“What kind of business?”
“I don't remember.”
“You don't remember?”
“It was years ago.”
“Then why did you look frightened when I mentioned him?”
Michael's jaw tightened.
“You're tired.”
“No.”
“You've had too much stress.”
“No.”
“Let's go upstairs.”
“I asked you a question.”
He stared at her.
Then said:
“Your father made mistakes.”
Caroline felt something break inside her.
“What kind?”
“He trusted the wrong people.”
“Who?”
Michael didn't answer.
“Your family?”
He looked away.
“Michael.”
He sighed.
“Your father was involved in a financial dispute.”
“Did he steal money?”
“No.”
“Did your family accuse him?”
“Yes.”
“Was he guilty?”
Michael's silence answered.
Caroline stepped closer.
“Was he innocent?”
Michael whispered:
“Yes.”
Her heart stopped.
“You knew?”
“I didn't know everything.”
“But you knew enough.”
He looked at her.
“Caroline, you don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
“I was young.”
“You were old enough to know.”
“I didn't make those decisions.”
“Who did?”
Michael said nothing.
“Your father?”
Silence.
“Your mother?”
Michael looked at Margaret.
Caroline followed his gaze.
Margaret was watching them.
Her face was expressionless.
Caroline understood.
“Your mother knows.”
Michael said:
“Stop.”
“Your mother knows what happened to my father.”
“Stop.”
“And you married me because of it.”
His face changed.
“No.”
“You knew about my inheritance.”
“No.”
“You knew about the account.”
“No.”
“You knew about the documents.”
He stepped closer.
“Caroline.”
She raised her phone.
“Then tell me why your own voice says I won't have the resources to fight you.”
Michael froze.
“You recorded me?”
“No.”
“Then who did?”
Caroline smiled.
“That is what I'm trying to find out.”
Michael stared at her.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
The caller ID displayed one name.
Evelyn.
Michael answered.
“Where are you?”
Caroline couldn't hear the other side.
Michael's face slowly lost its color.
He ended the call.
Caroline asked:
“What did she say?”
Michael looked at her.
“She knows.”
“Knows what?”
He didn't answer.
Then Margaret approached.
She looked at Michael.
“Did she call?”
Michael nodded.
Margaret's voice dropped.
May you like
“Then we have a problem.”
Caroline heard every word.
