Chapter 3 - THE LETTERS THAT NEVER REACHED HER
By morning, the ballroom confrontation had become an internet sensation.
Someone had filmed Grant grabbing Audrey's wrist.
Another guest had recorded Rafe canceling the signing.
A third video showed Rosie running toward him.
The captions were merciless.
BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET TWINS REVEALED AT LUXURY HOTEL.
MAFIA-LINKED HOTEL OWNER HUMILIATES BUSINESS RIVAL.
ABANDONED WIFE CONFRONTS HUSBAND AFTER SIX YEARS.
Audrey stared at her phone while the children ate cereal.
Rosie looked up.
“Mommy, why is your face on the internet?”
Audrey locked the screen.
“Sometimes people share things they shouldn't.”
“Like Owen sharing my toothbrush?”
“I did that one time,” Owen protested.
Audrey managed a smile.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She let it go to voicemail.
A message appeared immediately.
Grant Whitmore: We need to discuss custody. Call me before this becomes ugly.
Audrey felt cold.
She had always known the possibility existed.
Grant had never legally terminated his parental rights.
He had simply left.
No calls.
No visits.
No birthday cards.
Nothing.
But now he had seen the children.
And his pride had been wounded in public.
At ten, Audrey met family-law attorney Naomi Feld in a quiet office overlooking Madison Square Park.
Rafe had recommended her, but Audrey insisted on paying the consultation fee herself.
Naomi was direct.
“First, we're going to establish the current legal situation. Were you divorced?”
“Yes. Finalized five years ago.”
“Did the decree address the children?”
“No. They were born after he filed, and he refused to acknowledge paternity. The divorce proceeded without custody or support orders concerning them.”
Naomi made a note.
“Then we need to address parentage, custody, and support properly. Grant's absence matters, but it doesn't automatically erase whatever rights or obligations the law recognizes.”
Audrey nodded.
“I don't want to keep the children from him out of revenge.”
“Good. Then our position will focus on their safety, stability, and best interests.”
Naomi studied her.
“Did he ever contact you after leaving?”
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
Audrey frowned.
“Yes.”
Naomi hesitated.
“Grant's attorney claims he sent several letters.”
Audrey stared.
“What letters?”
Two hours later, Naomi obtained copies.
There were five.
All addressed to Audrey's former Brooklyn apartment.
The first was dated three months after Grant left.
The second, six months later.
The third contained a request for a paternity test.
The fourth mentioned financial support.
The fifth was signed by Celeste.
Audrey read them twice.
Then looked up.
“I never received these.”
Naomi examined the envelopes.
“They were returned to sender.”
Audrey frowned.
“Then he knew I hadn't received them.”
“That's one interpretation. We need the originals and delivery records.”
Audrey stared at Celeste's signature.
Something was wrong.
The handwriting on the fourth envelope matched Celeste's.
Not Grant's.
And the return address wasn't Grant's office.
It belonged to a private mailbox service in Midtown.
That evening, Audrey showed Rafe the copies.
He read them silently.
Then looked up.
“Celeste controlled his correspondence?”
“I don't know.”
“Grant trusted her with everything.”
Audrey folded her arms.
“Are you suggesting she intercepted the letters?”
“I'm suggesting we don't know who sent them or why.”
She stared.
Rafe set the papers down.
“Let Naomi investigate.”
Audrey nodded.
Then whispered, “What if he tried?”
Rafe looked at her.
“Then the children still deserved more than five letters.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
He was right.
But the possibility unsettled her.
Because for six years, she'd built her life around one certainty.
May you like
Grant had never looked back.
Now she wondered whether the truth was more complicated.
