Chapter 5 - THE MARRIAGE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT
Dominic couldn't move.
For three years, he had believed his marriage to Audrey began with a chance meeting at a charity event.
Now he was staring at proof that their families had known each other for decades.
“You're lying.”
Victoria shook her head.
“Your father and Audrey's father were partners.”
“In business.”
“In everything.”
She placed the photograph on the table.
“They created the trust together.”
Dominic looked at the little girl standing between the two men.
Audrey.
She was perhaps eight years old.
His father had one hand resting on her shoulder.
“You knew her family?”
“Of course.”
“Then why did you act like she was beneath us?”
Victoria's face hardened.
“Because I needed you to believe that.”
“Why?”
“Because if you knew Audrey controlled the trust, you would have married her for money.”
Dominic stared at his mother.
“You're saying you manipulated me so I wouldn't know she was wealthy?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
“Because your father wanted Audrey to inherit everything.”
Dominic slowly sat.
“And you hated that.”
“I hated that a stranger's daughter would control what I believed was ours.”
“That's why you treated her terribly.”
Victoria didn't answer.
“Mom.”
She finally whispered, “Yes.”
Dominic's voice became colder.
“What happened the night Audrey fell?”
Victoria looked away.
“I didn't push her.”
“Then who did?”
Silence.
“Mom.”
“I don't know.”
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“And Paige was there.”
Victoria's eyes widened.
“How do you know?”
“Security footage.”
Victoria's expression collapsed.
“She wasn't supposed to be there.”
“Why was she?”
Victoria swallowed.
“Because she was working with Richard.”
Dominic felt sick.
“Working on what?”
“Getting Audrey to sign away the trust.”
“And if she refused?”
Victoria didn't answer.
Dominic stood.
“You tried to force her?”
“No.”
“Did you threaten her?”
“I only wanted her to leave.”
“Mom!”
Victoria began crying.
“I didn't know she was pregnant.”
Dominic froze.
“What?”
Victoria covered her face.
“I didn't know.”
“You knew about the baby?”
“No.”
“But you said—”
“I found out after.”
Dominic stepped backward.
The room seemed to shrink around him.
“Who knew?”
Victoria looked at him.
“Paige.”
Dominic's blood turned cold.
“Paige knew?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“She told me.”
He immediately called Paige.
This time she answered.
“Dominic?”
“Where are you?”
A pause.
“Why?”
“Because I know you were at the house.”
Another pause.
Then Paige whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“Sorry for what?”
“I never wanted Audrey hurt.”
“Who did?”
“I don't know.”
“Tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Paige.”
She began crying.
“Dominic, you don't understand. Your mother wasn't the one giving orders.”
His voice dropped.
“Who was?”
Paige whispered one name.
Then the call ended.
Dominic stood frozen.
May you like
The name belonged to someone he had trusted his entire life.
His father.
