Chapter 4 - Daniel’s Secret
Daniel arrived at Rebecca Sloan’s office at nine the next morning.
Emma agreed to see him because she wanted one answer.
Nothing else.
He looked terrible.
Unshaven.
Wrinkled shirt.
No wedding ring.
Emma noticed immediately.
Her own was still in her handbag.
She had removed it the night before.
Not dramatically.
She simply realized she no longer wanted it on her hand.
Daniel sat across from her.
Rebecca remained in the room.
“Did you approve the transfer to Robert?” Emma asked.
Daniel swallowed.
“Yes.”
The answer hurt more because it came quickly.
“You knew?”
“I knew about the investment.”
“Did you know your mother borrowed against the mansion?”
“No.”
“Then where did you think four hundred twenty thousand dollars came from?”
“She told me an old account had matured.”
Emma stared.
“And you believed her?”
“I wanted to.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“No.”
Emma’s voice sharpened.
“You suspected something.”
“Yes.”
“And approved the transfer anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
His face broke.
“Because Mom said Robert’s project would replace the money you were putting in.”
Emma laughed.
Rebecca said nothing.
Daniel continued.
“I thought if it worked, we wouldn’t need your help anymore.”
“You never thought of telling me?”
“I was ashamed.”
“No.”
Emma leaned forward.
“You were comfortable letting me remain financially responsible while secretly gambling borrowed money on your uncle.”
Daniel looked sick.
“I know.”
“Stop saying that.”
He flinched.
“You keep saying you know after I explain the thing you should have known before doing it.”
Silence.
Emma’s eyes filled.
“Did you know my name was on the loan?”
“No.”
She searched his face.
“I believe you.”
His eyes lifted.
For one second, hope appeared.
She destroyed it.
“But you still approved the transfer.”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes.”
Rebecca asked:
“Mr. Mercer, do you have access to RJM Development’s records?”
“Some.”
“Get all of them.”
Daniel looked at Emma.
“If I do—”
“This is not a trade.”
“I know.”
“No, Daniel.”
Her voice remained calm.
“You do not earn your marriage back by cooperating with an investigation into money you helped lose.”
His face went pale.
“Are you filing?”
Emma didn’t answer.
He understood anyway.
“Emma.”
She looked at him.
“I love you.”
That hurt more than anger.
“I know.”
His eyes filled.
“Does that matter?”
“Yes.”
He leaned forward.
May you like
Emma continued:
“It just isn’t enough.”
