Chapter 3 - THE BROTHER THEY CALLED BROKEN
I found a small room in a women's residence near Washington Square.
It had one narrow bed, a desk, and a window facing a brick wall.
I loved it immediately.
Because nobody could order me to sleep there.
I paid the first week with money I'd saved from my job as a junior interior designer.
Then I called my manager and requested two days off.
She agreed.
I sat on the bed and cried until my throat hurt.
That evening, Daniel called.
I almost didn't answer.
“Hello?”
“Emma. It's Daniel.”
“I know.”
“I wanted to make sure you arrived safely.”
“I did.”
A pause.
“Good.”
He sounded ready to hang up.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“Why did Ryan's mother choose me?”
Silence.
Then he said:
“Because she thought you wouldn't resist.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why?”
“Your family's financial situation. Your brother's treatment. Your relationship with Ryan.”
I closed my eyes.
“She knew everything.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know about Sophia?”
Daniel went quiet.
“What about her?”
“Ryan is planning to marry her.”
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel said something strange.
“That explains the timing.”
I sat straighter.
“What timing?”
“Ryan insisted the ceremony happen before Christmas.”
“Why?”
“I didn't know.”
“Daniel.”
He exhaled.
“There's a board meeting in January. My grandfather's trust is being reviewed.”
“What does that have to do with marriage?”
“Possibly everything.”
The next morning, Daniel arrived at a café near my residence.
He brought a folder.
Inside were copies of public corporate filings and a family trust summary.
He placed them on the table.
“My grandfather founded Carter Maritime. Before he died, he created a trust controlling forty-two percent of the company.”
I looked at the documents.
“Who inherits it?”
Daniel pointed to a clause.
“The eldest grandson who establishes an independent household before his thirty-fifth birthday.”
I frowned.
“You're the eldest.”
“Yes.”
“And you're thirty-four.”
“Until February.”
I stared.
“Your family wanted you married before then.”
Daniel nodded.
“Apparently.”
I looked at him.
“But why Ryan?”
“Because if I don't satisfy the trust conditions, my share passes into a voting arrangement controlled by him.”
I sat back.
“Your mother was using me to secure your inheritance?”
Daniel's expression was grim.
“Or to make it appear that the condition had been met.”
I looked at the next page.
Something caught my eye.
A handwritten amendment.
Spousal acknowledgment required for certain transfers.
I looked up.
“Daniel, what were they going to make me sign?”
He didn't answer immediately.
May you like
Then he said:
“I think we should find out.”
