Chapter 7 - THE SISTER WHO KNEW BOTH SIDES
Natalie had always hated me.
Claire's older sister never concealed it.
At family dinners, she watched how often I checked my phone.
When Claire cried after failed fertility treatments, Natalie stayed with her while I buried myself in work.
And after Claire discovered my affair, Natalie was the person she called.
Now I had evidence Natalie had been communicating with Sienna.
My first instinct was anger.
Betrayal.
Suspicion.
But I had finally learned how dangerous my instincts could be.
I called my attorney instead.
He advised me not to confront anyone while the investigation continued.
Then I waited.
The next morning, Natalie called.
Her voice was cold.
“Adrian.”
I sat upright.
“Is Claire okay?”
“Yes.”
“The babies?”
“Healthy. Eva has another follow-up appointment next week.”
Relief washed through me.
“Thank you.”
Natalie was silent.
Then she said, “You're welcome.”
I took a breath.
“Why were you talking to Sienna?”
Her tone sharpened.
“So you know.”
“Yes.”
“She contacted me.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because she wanted information about Claire.”
My stomach tightened.
“What information?”
“Where she went. Who she was staying with. Whether she'd filed for divorce.”
I stared at the wall.
“Did you tell her?”
“No.”
“Then why keep communicating?”
“Because I wanted a written record of what she was asking.”
I closed my eyes.
Natalie continued.
“She threatened to expose personal information about Claire if I didn't cooperate.”
My hands tightened.
“What information?”
“Medical records. Fertility treatments. Private conversations.”
I felt sick.
Sienna had accessed things that should never have left our home.
Natalie continued.
“I saved every message and gave them to Claire's attorney.”
I looked toward the window.
For months, my wife's sister had been protecting her.
And I'd assumed the worst.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered.
Natalie didn't respond immediately.
Then she said, “You owe that apology to Claire.”
“I know.”
“No, Adrian. I don't think you do.”
Her voice trembled.
“She was terrified during labor. Do you understand that?”
I closed my eyes.
“She thought Eva might die.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“She kept looking at the door. Every time someone entered, she thought it might be you.”
I couldn't breathe.
Natalie continued.
“And when the doctors took Eva away for respiratory support, Claire asked me whether she'd done something wrong.”
I covered my mouth.
“She thought maybe you'd come if she had been a better wife.”
A sound escaped me.
Something between a sob and a gasp.
Natalie's voice softened slightly.
“That's what you left behind.”
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then she added:
“Claire doesn't hate you, Adrian.”
I wiped my eyes.
“That almost makes it worse.”
“Yes,” Natalie said quietly. “It does.”
Before ending the call, Natalie hesitated.
“There's something you should know.”
My heart tightened.
“What?”
“Claire found another financial document.”
I frowned.
“About Marcus?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Natalie exhaled.
“It concerns a company registered in your children's names.”
I stared.
“My children are six days old.”
“I know.”
She paused.
“And the company was created before they were born.”
May you like
My stomach dropped.
Someone had used my unborn twins to conceal ownership of a $600 million investment fund.
