Chapter 8 - THE ACCOUNT IN MY NAME
Daniel arrived at Margaret's office with his attorney.
He looked exhausted.
His hair was uncombed.
His eyes were red.
For a moment, I almost reached for him.
Then I remembered the five months of lies.
I stayed seated.
Daniel explained that Whitmore Financial had begun an internal review of certain client accounts.
He insisted he hadn't stolen money.
But he admitted he'd made unauthorized transfers between business entities he controlled.
Margaret asked careful questions.
I listened.
Then Daniel said:
“Carter Family Holdings was supposed to be an investment vehicle.”
I stared.
“Supposed to be?”
He looked down.
“I registered it last year.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I thought I could make extra money.”
I swallowed.
“Whose money?”
He hesitated.
Then looked at his attorney.
The attorney spoke.
“Daniel is reviewing the transactions with separate counsel.”
Margaret nodded.
“We'll need full disclosure of any marital assets and liabilities connected to the entity.”
I stared at Daniel.
“Is my name on it?”
Silence.
Then he whispered:
“Yes.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
He looked miserable.
“I listed you as a member.”
“Without asking me?”
He nodded.
I felt the room tilt.
***
Margaret asked whether I'd signed any documents.
I shook my head.
“Not knowingly.”
We discussed the need to review the formation records and any purported signatures.
I felt sick.
The affair had humiliated me.
This frightened me.
Because money could disappear.
Credit could be damaged.
Legal problems could reach people who never knew they were involved.
***
That night, I called Rachel.
She listened.
Then said:
“Amelia, you need to protect yourself.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean really protect yourself. Don't let pity make you responsible for his choices.”
I closed my eyes.
“He says he's scared.”
Rachel's voice softened.
“I'm sure he is.”
I swallowed.
“But?”
“But fear doesn't make him innocent.”
***
The next morning, I placed fraud alerts on my credit and began reviewing my accounts with professional guidance.
I changed passwords to my personal accounts.
Checked statements.
Preserved documents.
And made a list of every financial question I needed answered.
For the first time, I stopped thinking about whether Daniel loved me.
May you like
I started thinking about whether I could trust anything he said.
The answer frightened me.
