Chapter 9: The Marriage Before Mine
I read the message until the words blurred.
First wife.
Those two words didn’t belong together.
Not with Daniel.
Not with the man who had spent years telling me I was the only person he ever wanted.
I looked at him.
He already knew.
His face told me.
“Daniel?””
He didn’t answer.
My father looked between us.
“You didn’t tell her?””
The room went silent.
I turned slowly.
“Tell me what?””
Daniel looked terrified.
“Emma…”
“No.””
My voice shook.
“Do not say my name like that.””
The pain on his face was real.
But I had learned something.
Real emotions did not mean honesty.
“What is the truth?””
Daniel sat down.
“I was married before.””
The words hit harder than I expected.
Not because he had a past.
Everyone had a past.
Because he had hidden it.
“How long?””
“Before I met you.””
“How long was the marriage?””
He looked down.
“Eight months.””
My chest tightened.
“And what happened?””
Daniel was quiet.
Detective Harris watched carefully.
“My first wife died.””
The room froze.
I stared.
“Died?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Daniel looked away.
“An accident.””
I felt sick.
“An accident.””
He nodded.
“Emma…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought I could leave it behind.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t leave something like that behind.””
He had no answer.
My father spoke quietly.
“Her death is connected to the trust.””
Daniel turned.
“Stop.””
But my father continued.
“She was supposed to have the child.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
My father looked at me.
“The trust required a child from the Carter bloodline and the chosen family line.””
I looked at Daniel.
“And his first wife?””
“She was part of the agreement.””
The room became unbearable.
“So what was I?””
Nobody spoke.
I already knew.
“A replacement.””
Daniel stood.
“No.””
But his voice cracked.
“Emma, no.””
“Then explain.””
He stepped toward me.
“I met you because of my family.””
I waited.
“My father wanted me to look into the trust situation.””
I swallowed.
“And then?””
“Then I fell in love with you.””
I looked away.
Because that was the part I wanted to believe.
The part that hurt the most.
“Did you?””
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.””
“Even though your family chose me?””
“Yes.””
“Even though I was connected to money?””
“Yes.””
I shook my head.
“I don’t know if I believe anything anymore.””
Detective Harris interrupted.
“Emma.””
I looked at him.
“We need to focus.””
He placed another document on the table.
“We found records from Daniel’s first marriage.””
My stomach tightened.
“What records?””
“Medical records.””
Daniel went pale.
“No.””
Detective Harris looked at him.
“Your first wife was pregnant.””
I stared at Daniel.
“What?””
He didn’t answer.
Detective Harris continued.
“She lost the baby before she died.””
The room went silent.
My father whispered:
“Just like they planned.””
I turned toward him.
“What does that mean?””
He looked terrified.
“It means the trust has happened before.””
My breathing became shallow.
“Someone tried to eliminate the heir before.””
Detective Harris nodded.
“And succeeded.””
I looked at Daniel.
“My God.””
He covered his face.
“I didn’t know.””
But then Detective Harris placed one more piece of evidence down.
A photograph.
An ultrasound image.
I stared at it.
A baby.
Daniel’s baby.
But written on the corner was a date.
A date that made no sense.
Because it was taken after Daniel claimed his first wife had died.
I looked up.
“Daniel.””
He stared at the image.
His face lost all color.
“That’s impossible.””
The detective’s voice was quiet.
“Mr. Carter…”
He pointed at the date.
“Your first wife’s child may not have died.””
Everyone stopped breathing.
Because if that baby was alive…
May you like
then Lily was not the only heir.
And someone had been trying to kill my daughter to hide another child’s existence.
