Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Claire Bennett contacted me three weeks later.
Her email was brief.
Amelia, I know you have no reason to speak with me. But Daniel has lied to both of us. There are things you should know.
I stared.
Then forwarded it to Margaret.
We discussed whether responding would serve any purpose.
Eventually, I agreed to receive information in writing.
Claire sent a long message.
She admitted the affair.
She apologized.
Then she wrote something that made my stomach drop.
Daniel told me you were already separated.
I read the sentence twice.
He'd told Claire we were separated.
He'd told me Claire was merely a colleague.
Two women.
Two stories.
One man benefiting from both.
***
Claire continued.
She claimed Daniel had promised to leave the marriage after his promotion.
He'd told her our relationship was over.
That we lived separate lives.
That I stayed because of financial convenience.
I stared at the screen.
Then I read the final paragraph.
I ended things when I realized he was lying about your marriage. But I don't think the affair is the only secret he's keeping.
My heart accelerated.
What else?
Claire attached a document.
A financial projection.
It concerned Daniel's work at Whitmore.
The figures showed unusually large performance bonuses tied to accounts he had personally managed.
I didn't understand the details.
But I recognized one name.
CARTER FAMILY HOLDINGS.
I stared.
Daniel had never mentioned a company by that name.
***
I called Margaret.
She listened.
Then said:
“Don't jump to conclusions. We need to determine whether this is relevant to your marital finances.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
“Do you know whether Daniel has business interests outside his employment?”
“No.”
“Then let's investigate through proper disclosure.”
I looked at the document.
The affair had broken my trust.
Now I wondered whether I'd understood our finances at all.
***
That evening, Daniel called.
“Amelia, can we meet?”
I hesitated.
“Why?”
“I need to tell you something.”
I closed my eyes.
“Then tell me.”
A long silence.
Finally:
“I'm in trouble at work.”
I sat straighter.
“What kind of trouble?”
He swallowed.
May you like
“Financial.”
And suddenly, the affair no longer looked like the only crisis coming toward me.
