Chapter 12 - FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
I confronted Nathan in a room full of lawyers.
Not because I wanted revenge.
Because I wanted answers on the record.
Naomi had arranged a formal interview after Nathan agreed to cooperate in exchange for consideration from prosecutors.
His attorney sat beside him.
Mine sat beside me.
Nathan looked smaller than I remembered.
Maybe he hadn't changed.
Maybe I had.
"Forty thousand dollars," I said.
He stared at the table.
"Claire—"
"Was that the price?"
He swallowed.
"It wasn't like that."
"Then explain it."
He rubbed his hands together.
"Daniel said you were going to destroy the firm."
"Because I found fraud."
"He told me you were mistaken."
"And you believed him?"
Nathan didn't answer.
I leaned forward.
"Did you know the accusations against me were false?"
His eyes filled.
"Eventually."
"Eventually?"
"After you were fired."
I felt something inside me go completely still.
"You knew I was innocent."
He nodded.
"And you took the money."
"Yes."
The room blurred.
For years, I had imagined Nathan leaving because I wasn't successful enough, attractive enough, stable enough.
The truth was uglier.
He'd made a business decision.
I stood.
"Claire," he said desperately, "I did love you."
I looked at him.
"Maybe you loved being with someone whose life was easy."
"That's not fair."
"No."
I picked up my bag.
"Neither was what you did."
Outside the interview room, Adrian waited.
He didn't ask questions.
He simply stood beside me.
After a while, I said, "He got forty thousand dollars."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I'm sorry."
"I thought finding out would make me feel better."
"Does it?"
"No."
He nodded.
We walked outside.
The city was bright with afternoon sunlight.
For once, I didn't feel the need to hide my tears.
Adrian offered me a handkerchief.
I laughed despite myself.
"Who carries handkerchiefs anymore?"
"My grandfather did."
"Of course he did."
He smiled faintly.
I wiped my eyes.
"Adrian?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want revenge."
"Good."
"I want my name back."
He looked at me.
"Then we'll make sure the evidence reaches the people who can restore it."
I shook my head.
"No. I'll do that."
He studied me.
Then smiled.
"Even better."
That night, I received a message from Daniel Mercer.
MEET ME TOMORROW. ALONE. I CAN EXPLAIN EVERYTHING.
I forwarded it to Naomi.
For the first time in my life, I didn't feel tempted to confront the man who had hurt me without protection.
I had learned something important.
May you like
Courage didn't mean walking into danger alone.
Sometimes it meant refusing to play by the rules of people who wanted you powerless.
