Chapter 7 - The Husband Who Came Back Begging
Nathan collapsed at the front gate.
Security brought him inside.
I stood frozen when I saw him.
“You.”
He looked terrible.
Thin.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
“Where have you been?”
“Running.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.”
Elias entered.
Nathan immediately stood.
“I need to tell you something.”
Elias raised his gun.
Nathan didn't move.
“I don't want the money.”
“What do you want?”
“To save them.”
He looked toward the nursery.
“My daughters.”
The word made my heart ache.
“You don't get to call them that.”
“I know.”
He lowered his head.
“I don't deserve to.”
Then he handed Elias a flash drive.
“Everything is on this.”
“What?”
“Names. Accounts. Locations. Everyone involved.”
Elias took it.
Nathan looked at me.
“I lied to you.”
“You did more than lie.”
“I know.”
“You abandoned us.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe my children were unwanted.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I thought if I made you hate me, you'd stay away from me.”
“That doesn't make sense.”
“I was scared.”
“You were cruel.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“I'll regret it until I die.”
I looked toward my daughters.
“They deserve better.”
“They have it.”
I turned.
Elias stood behind me.
Nathan looked at him.
“Take care of them.”
Elias answered,
“I already am.”
Nathan nodded.
Then he turned toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To testify.”
“Against your father?”
“Yes.”
He paused.
“And against myself.”
I watched him leave.
For the first time, I felt something unexpected.
Not love.
Not forgiveness.
Pity.
A man who had made terrible choices was finally trying to make one right decision.
The flash drive contained enough evidence to destroy Victor's entire network.
But there was one file labeled:
Ava Miller — Original Contract.
I opened it.
My name appeared.
And beneath it was a payment record.
My husband had been paid $500,000 to marry me.
I felt sick.
Then I saw the date.
The payment had been made before we met.
Elias stared at the screen.
“This wasn't about the babies.”
I looked at him.
“Then what was it about?”
He zoomed in.
The original contract had one additional name.
Elena Miller.
My mother.
I couldn't breathe.
“My mother hired Nathan?”
Elias looked at me.
“No.”
He pointed to the signature.
“This isn't your mother's signature.”
“Whose is it?”
He stared.
May you like
Then whispered,
“Victor's.”
