Chapter 6: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
I opened the envelope in the hallway.
Not at the table.
Not in front of everyone.
I needed one moment where I could breathe.
Inside was a photograph.
A simple photograph.
But the second I saw it, my entire body went cold.
It was Daniel.
Standing outside a hotel.
With another woman.
The date was printed in the corner.
Six months earlier.
I stared at the image.
Six months earlier.
When I was pregnant.
When Daniel told me he was traveling for a business conference.
When he kissed my forehead and promised he hated leaving me alone.
I felt numb.
Not shocked.
Not even angry.
Just numb.
Because somehow, after everything I had learned that night, there was still another betrayal waiting.
Behind me, I heard footsteps.
Richard.
“Emily?””
I didn’t turn around.
“Did you know?””
He was silent.
That silence told me enough.
I finally looked at him.
“You knew.””
“I suspected.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
His face showed regret.
“Because I didn’t have proof.””
I looked back at the photograph.
“And now you do.””
Richard nodded.
“I received this from someone who wanted Daniel exposed.””
“Who?””
Richard hesitated.
Then said:
“Her name is Natalie.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But it clearly meant something to Daniel.
Because the moment he heard it from the dining room, his voice changed.
“Dad.””
Richard and I turned.
Daniel stood there.
His face was pale.
“Don’t bring her into this.””
I looked at him.
“Who is Natalie?””
He didn’t answer.
That was becoming his favorite response.
Silence.
Richard stepped closer.
“She was an employee at the company.””
My chest tightened.
An employee.
Daniel had always told me he worked late because of business.
Because of pressure.
Because he was trying to rebuild.
“How long?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Emily…”
“How long?””
He swallowed.
“Eight months.””
The number felt like a physical blow.
Eight months.
My pregnancy.
My doctor appointments.
My sleepless nights.
My fear about becoming a mother.
And he had been living another life.
Victoria suddenly appeared behind him.
“This is getting out of control.””
I turned toward her.
“Did you know too?””
She looked away.
That was all the answer I needed.
I laughed quietly.
Not because anything was funny.
Because I finally understood the entire family dynamic.
They didn’t protect Daniel because they loved him.
They protected him because protecting him protected their image.
Richard looked furious.
“Victoria.””
She lifted her chin.
“He was unhappy.””
I stared at her.
“Unhappy?””
She shrugged.
“You were always focused on the baby. The house. The finances.””
I looked at her in disbelief.
“You mean the things I was handling because your son refused to?””
Nobody responded.
Then my phone rang.
I looked down.
Unknown number.
Normally, I would have ignored it.
But something made me answer.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice came through.
“Is this Emily Carter?””
I froze.
“Yes.””
“My name is Natalie.””
My eyes moved to Daniel.
He looked terrified.
The woman continued.
“I know you probably hate me.””
I didn’t say anything.
“But there’s something you need to know.””
I gripped the phone.
“What?””
A long pause.
Then Natalie whispered:
“Daniel didn’t just hide his relationship with me.””
My heartbeat increased.
“What are you talking about?””
Her voice trembled.
“He used me to hide something much bigger.””
I looked at Richard.
Then at Daniel.
“What bigger?””
Natalie took a breath.
“The night he created that fake marriage amendment…”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Hang up.””
I ignored him.
Natalie continued.
“He wasn’t protecting his assets.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Then what was he doing?””
Silence.
Then her answer came.
“He was preparing to take control of your inheritance.””
The hallway went completely still.
My blood ran cold.
“My inheritance?””
Daniel’s face changed.
And I knew.
May you like
I finally knew.
There was a secret about me that even I had never been told.
