Chapter 5 - HIS OWN LAWYER HAD KNOWN
Arthur Crane had died three years earlier.
But his firm still had the divorce files.
Alex’s current lawyer obtained them under his authorization.
The answer arrived that afternoon.
Arthur had known.
The file contained an internal memo.
Client’s mother advises Alex does not wish to reopen pregnancy issue until paternity confirmed after birth. Continue divorce proceedings. Avoid direct contact unless emergency.
Alex read it twice.
“He never asked me?”
His lawyer, Nathan Brooks, shook his head.
“Apparently he believed your mother had authority to coordinate personal matters.”
“Why?”
Nathan found another document.
A limited authorization Alex had signed years earlier during his father’s cancer treatment.
It allowed Beatrice to receive certain personal correspondence when Alex was traveling.
Nothing in it allowed her to make legal decisions.
But Arthur had been a family friend.
He trusted her.
And Alex had spent years letting his mother manage uncomfortable things.
That realization hurt.
Beatrice created the deception.
But Alex had built the door she walked through.
Then Nathan found an email from Arthur to Beatrice.
Beatrice,
I remain uncomfortable proceeding without direct confirmation from Alex concerning Ms. Rivas’s pregnancy. Please have him contact me.
Beatrice replied:
He has been explicit that he does not want Elena using a possible child to derail the divorce. I will speak with him when he returns from London.
There was no record she ever did.
Two months later, Arthur sent another email.
Hospital counsel contacted me. Ms. Rivas has been admitted with serious pregnancy complications. I strongly recommend Alex be notified immediately.
Beatrice’s reply consisted of one sentence.
I will handle my son.
Alex stood and walked to the window.
Elena had been hospitalized.
His lawyer had known.
His mother had known.
Alex had not.
Nathan continued reading.
“There’s something else.”
Arthur had written himself a private memo three days after the quadruplets were born.
Spoke with Beatrice. She states Alex has been informed and wishes no involvement pending confirmation. I have concerns.
Then came one final line.
If this representation is false, consequences to family may be irreversible.
Alex almost laughed.
Irreversible.
Exactly.
Nathan turned another page.
Arthur had tried to contact Alex directly.
Once.
An email sent to Alex’s private account.
Subject:
URGENT PERSONAL MATTER — ELENA.
Alex stared.
“I never saw that.”
Nathan showed him the forwarding record.
The email had automatically gone to an account management folder monitored by Alex’s executive assistant.
May you like
And the assistant had forwarded it to Beatrice.
One hour later, it was deleted.
