Chapter 8: The Enemy Inside
I didn’t sleep that night.
Not even for a minute.
The image of Donovan standing outside his preschool replayed in my mind over and over.
Someone had followed my son.
Someone had watched him.
Someone had taken a picture.
I sat beside his bed until sunrise.
His tiny hand held onto my finger even while he slept.
Three years old.
Too young to understand betrayal.
Too young to know some people only saw him as a connection to my wealth.
When morning came, I made one decision.
No more secrets.
I called my security team.
Within an hour, the mansion had new cameras, additional guards, and a complete review of every person who had access to my family.
Caden arrived before noon.
I almost didn’t let him in.
But when I saw his face, I knew something was wrong.
“What happened?””
He looked exhausted.
“I found something.””
I crossed my arms.
“About what?””
“About Landon.””
My expression changed.
“How do you know about him?””
Caden stepped inside.
“Because he contacted me.””
The room went silent.
“When?””
“Before the paperwork was filed.””
My anger returned instantly.
“And you didn’t tell me?””
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
He looked at me.
“Of losing everything.””
The honesty hurt.
But at least it was honest.
“What did he tell you?””
Caden sat down.
“He said you would never truly see me as your equal.””
I stared at him.
“He said you were keeping me in the dark.””
“That part was true.””
“Yes,” I admitted.
“I didn’t tell you about the money.””
Caden looked surprised.
“But I never used you because of it.””
“I know.””
Those two words stopped me.
“You know?””
He nodded.
“I know now.””
The silence between us changed.
Not forgiveness.
Not yet.
But something different.
Truth.
“What else did Landon say?””
Caden looked uncomfortable.
“He said there was a condition in your inheritance.””
I frowned.
“What condition?””
“He said if you had a child, the trust would eventually transfer control.””
My stomach dropped.
“What?””
“He told me Donovan was the key.””
I felt cold.
“That’s impossible.””
“Is it?””
I didn’t answer.
Because suddenly, I remembered something.
My grandfather’s final meeting with me.
The strange conversation before he passed away.
He had held Donovan when he was only a few months old.
And he had said:
“Protect the boy. People will see him as a doorway.””
At the time, I thought he meant emotionally.
Now I understood.
He meant power.
I immediately called Jonathan.
He answered quickly.
“Emma?””
“I need to ask about Donovan’s inheritance.””
There was silence.
Then:
“You finally found out.””
My heart stopped.
“You knew?””
“Your grandfather instructed me not to tell you until there was a credible threat.””
“And now?””
“Now there is.””
I looked at Caden.
“Explain.””
Jonathan’s voice became serious.
“Your grandfather created a separate trust for Donovan.””
I closed my eyes.
“How much?””
“That’s not the important part.””
“Then what is?””
“The person who controls that trust controls the future of the entire company.””
I felt dizzy.
“Who controls it?””
A pause.
Then:
“You do.””
I exhaled.
“Then why are they targeting him?””
“Because they can’t take control from you.””
I understood.
“They’re trying to pressure me.””
“Yes.””
Caden stood.
“Emma.””
I looked at him.
His face was pale.
“There’s something else.””
“What?””
He pulled out his phone.
“I received another message.””
My heart sank.
“What message?””
He showed me.
It was from the same unknown number.
Only one sentence.
*Ask your husband why he wasn’t the first choice.*
I looked at Caden.
“What does that mean?””
He looked terrified.
“I don’t know.””
But before I could respond, another notification appeared.
A bank alert.
From my company account.
A transfer request.
Pending approval.
The amount was enormous.
May you like
And the recipient name made my blood run cold.
*Donovan Carter Family Trust.*
