Chapter 4 - The Darker Secret
It took my forensic accountant exactly forty-eight hours to uncover the truth.
I was sitting in Diane’s office when she handed me a thick dossier with a grim expression on her face.
"You need to brace yourself, Sarah. It’s much worse than a few expensive dinners."
I opened the file and began to read the meticulously highlighted bank statements.
For the past two years, I had been transferring $2,500 a month to Brenda for Leo's daytime care.
Brenda had never kept a single dime of that money.
Every month, the exact amount was wired from Brenda’s account to a leasing office across town.
"It's a luxury apartment complex," Diane explained gently.
"Mark signed the lease, but he used his mother’s name as a guarantor."
My stomach plummeted as I turned the page to see the names of the registered tenants.
Mark Evans.
And a woman named Chloe Adams.
"Who is she?" I whispered, though I already knew the answer.
"She is a twenty-four-year-old fitness instructor," Diane said.
"And according to the public hospital records we pulled, she gave birth to a baby girl six months ago."
Mark was listed on the birth certificate.
I sat back in my chair, the air completely knocked out of my lungs.
My husband wasn't just unemployed and lazy; he was funding a secret second family using the money I provided to feed and protect our son.
He had let Leo freeze on the patio because he didn't care about him.
His real attention, and my money, had been going to his mistress and his new baby.
A fierce, burning fury ignited in my chest, completely burning away any lingering shock.
"Does Chloe know he's married to me?" I asked, my voice deadly calm.
May you like
"We aren't sure," Diane replied.
"Then it's time we introduce ourselves," I said.
