Chapter 4 - THE HUSBAND WHO HAD A PLAN FOR ME
I stopped thinking of Gavin as my husband that night.
Legally, he still was.
Emotionally, something had shifted.
A husband could betray you.
Lie.
Fail.
But a man who had placed your name inside a business plan beside the phrase “use Veronica” had moved beyond ordinary marital failure.
I called him.
He answered immediately.
“Finally.”
“What's Phase Two?”
Silence.
I knew.
His breathing changed.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Hannah found a document.”
His voice hardened.
“You need to stop involving my daughter.”
“Your daughter found it herself.”
“You're encouraging her to spy.”
“I have never asked Hannah to search anything.”
“That's not what Veronica says.”
I almost laughed.
“Do you have your own thoughts anymore?”
“Careful.”
“No, Gavin.”
I stood at Ruth's kitchen window, looking into the dark yard.
“You be careful.”
Another silence.
Then:
“Mariana, I didn't write that document.”
That stopped me.
“Whose is it?”
“Lucas.”
I frowned.
“Why does it have your company logo?”
“Because Lucas runs acquisitions.”
“You signed the Milford offer.”
“I was told it was an ordinary development parcel.”
“Owned by your mother?”
“I didn't know the shell company was targeting her.”
That sounded impossible.
Then again, Gavin had always delegated aggressively.
“Why were you pressuring Ruth to sell?”
“Because Lucas said it was becoming expensive to maintain.”
“Twenty-seven acres of undeveloped land?”
He had no answer.
“Gavin.”
His voice lowered.
“I think I've made a mistake.”
I sat down.
“What kind?”
“The kind I don't want to discuss on the phone.”
“Then discuss it with your lawyer.”
“Mariana, please.”
The please was new.
He continued:
“Lucas introduced Veronica back into my life.”
My skin prickled.
“What?”
“He said she had changed.”
“Why was your business partner involved with your ex-wife?”
“I don't know.”
“You didn't ask?”
“She contacted him first.”
“Why?”
“She said she wanted help approaching me.”
Of course.
Lucas had connected them.
I looked at the Phase Two document again.
“Where are the kids?”
“Here.”
“With Veronica?”
“Yes.”
“Put Hannah on.”
“She doesn't want—”
“Put Hannah on.”
This time my voice sounded enough like Ruth's that Gavin obeyed.
Hannah answered.
“Mariana?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Ben?”
“He's upstairs.”
“Grandma?”
“Sleeping.”
I exhaled.
“Listen to me. You do not need to choose sides.”
She was quiet.
“Dad says you’re trying to take Grandma's money.”
“Your father and I disagree about things. Adults will handle those things.”
“What about us?”
My throat tightened.
“I love you.”
“Even if Veronica stays?”
“Yes.”
“Even if Dad divorces you?”
That word hit differently spoken by a thirteen-year-old.
“Yes.”
Hannah started crying.
“Then why did he make you leave?”
I had no good answer.
Before I could try, someone entered her room.
Lucas's voice.
“Hannah, your dad downstairs?”
My blood went cold.
Lucas was in the house.
“Hannah.”
She whispered:
“Yes?”
“Go to Grandma's room.”
“Why?”
“Now.”
I heard movement.
Lucas called after her.
Then the call muffled.
I dialed Gavin from Mr. Keene's second phone.
He answered.
“Why are you calling from—”
“Is Lucas at your house?”
“No.”
“He is.”
Silence.
Then Gavin swore.
“He shouldn't be there.”
“Where are you?”
“Pharmacy. Ben needed—”
“Go home.”
I was already grabbing my keys.
Mr. Keene caught my arm.
“Police first.”
We called.
By the time officers arrived, Lucas was gone.
Nothing appeared stolen.
Gavin was furious.
Veronica acted confused.
Hannah was pale.
Then Ruth looked at me.
She lifted one shaking finger.
“Desk.”
I understood.
We went to her bedroom.
The small writing desk drawer was open.
Empty.
Ruth's speech struggled.
“Blue… book.”
Gavin frowned.
“What blue book?”
Ruth looked at him with pure disappointment.
“Your father.”
I knelt.
“What was in it?”
She fought for the words.
“Names. Money.”
Gavin's face changed.
Mr. Keene asked:
“Arthur's ledger?”
Ruth nodded.
I looked between them.
“Who is Arthur?”
Gavin whispered:
“My father.”
Ruth's late husband.
The man everyone said had died from a stroke eleven years ago.
Mr. Keene's expression became grim.
“Arthur kept records of every investor in Harper Development before Lucas joined.”
Gavin frowned.
“My company didn't exist then.”
Mr. Keene looked at him.
“That's what your father wanted you to believe.”
And suddenly Gavin looked as blindsided as I felt.
Ruth whispered one more word.
“Veronica.”
Everyone turned.
She stood in the hallway.
Ruth pointed at her.
Then forced out:
May you like
“She… knows… where… book… is.”
Veronica went completely white.
