MY HUSBAND CALLED OUR UNBORN BABY “USEFUL” WHILE CHEATING WITH HIS LAWYER

Emily had not expected to see her.

She had spent the previous hour reviewing Carter Harbor shareholder records when the receptionist announced that someone had come without an appointment.

"She says her name is Vanessa Cole," the receptionist explained. "And she says she needs to speak with Mrs. Carter."

Olivia nearly dropped her coffee.

"Absolutely not."

Rebecca looked toward Emily.

"It's your decision whether you want to hear what she has to say. We can decline and ask her counsel to contact us."

Emily's first instinct was to send Vanessa away.

She wanted nothing from the woman who had laughed while Garrett spoke about abandoning his pregnant wife.

But something in the receptionist's expression stopped her.

"What's she doing?"

"Sitting in the lobby. She looks upset."

Vanessa Cole never looked upset.

In seven years, Emily had seen her handle courtroom disputes, heated board meetings, and drunken charity guests without losing the slightest control of her expression.

Even at Emily's baby shower, Vanessa had smiled serenely while Garrett insisted she should be seated at the family table.

The idea of Vanessa arriving unannounced, visibly unsettled, was strange enough to matter.

Emily looked at Rebecca.

"Can we hear her out without giving her access to anything confidential?"

Rebecca nodded.

"We can. I'll establish boundaries first."

Vanessa entered several minutes later.

She looked exhausted.

Her hair was tied back.

Dark shadows marked the skin beneath her eyes.

She wasn't wearing her usual diamond earrings.

Emily remembered Garrett once telling her that Vanessa never went anywhere without them.

For a moment, the absurd detail made her angry.

She knew too much about this woman.

Favorite restaurant.

Favorite wine.

Favorite vacation destination.

All because Garrett had insisted Vanessa was practically family.

Vanessa stopped just inside the door.

"Emily."

Emily didn't rise.

"Vanessa."

The attorney's gaze dropped to Emily's stomach.

"How are you feeling?"

Emily laughed softly.

"You're not seriously asking me that."

Vanessa's face tightened.

"No. I suppose I don't have the right."

"That's the first accurate thing you've said to me."

Rebecca gestured toward a chair.

"Ms. Cole, I need to clarify that I represent Emily. I won't advise you. If you're here to discuss conduct that may expose you to liability, you should obtain independent counsel."

Vanessa nodded.

"I understand."

"Are you represented?"

"Not at the moment."

"Then consider carefully what you're choosing to say."

Vanessa sat.

She placed her briefcase on the floor.

For a long moment, she stared at her hands.

Then she looked at Emily.

"I know what you heard at the hotel."

Emily's chest tightened.

"Good."

"Garrett told me you were there."

"Did he also tell you I brought him dinner?"

Vanessa looked down.

"Yes."

Emily studied her.

"Was it funny?"

Vanessa's expression crumpled.

"What?"

"Was it funny when he called our baby useful?"

"No."

"You laughed."

Vanessa swallowed.

"I know."

"Did you think about her afterward? Did you think about the woman carrying his daughter while you were sleeping with him?"

Vanessa's eyes filled.

"Emily, I—"

"Don't apologize yet. I haven't finished."

Rebecca remained silent.

Emily leaned forward.

"Seven years. You sat at my table. You came to holidays. You brought gifts to my baby shower. You helped Garrett choose our anniversary vacation."

Vanessa began crying.

Emily didn't stop.

"You looked me in the eyes while you were helping him take my company."

"Yes," Vanessa whispered.

The admission stunned the room.

Olivia straightened.

Emily went still.

"Yes?"

Vanessa wiped her face.

"I helped him prepare the documents."

Rebecca opened her notebook.

"Ms. Cole, you should be very careful."

Vanessa nodded.

"I know. But I didn't come here to pretend I was innocent."

Emily felt a hard knot forming in her stomach.

"Then why did you come?"

Vanessa reached into her briefcase.

Olivia moved instinctively toward Emily.

Vanessa noticed.

She withdrew only a sealed envelope.

"I brought something."

Rebecca held out her hand.

"I'll take that."

Vanessa passed it over.

Inside were copies of corporate correspondence, a bank transfer schedule, and a memorandum bearing Daniel Mercer's signature.

Rebecca examined the first page.

Her expression sharpened.

"Where did you obtain these?"

"From the files I worked on."

"Are you authorized to disclose them?"

Vanessa hesitated.

"There may be confidentiality issues. I need independent advice about the proper way to turn over evidence."

Rebecca set the pages down.

"Then we won't review further until appropriate arrangements are made. If these involve potential criminal activity, your attorney can coordinate with investigators."

Vanessa nodded.

But Emily had already seen enough.

Daniel Mercer.

The name appeared at the top of the memorandum.

"What does he want?" Emily asked.

Vanessa looked up.

"Control."

"Of Carter Harbor?"

"Of the waterfront corridor, the surrounding development rights, and the financing profits."

"Why?"

"Because if the city moves forward with the proposed harbor transit improvements, the land values change dramatically."

Emily shook her head.

"That's not enough to explain fourteen years of deception."

Vanessa's eyes hardened.

"No. It isn't."

She looked toward Rebecca.

"Daniel isn't merely trying to acquire property. He's trying to bury a financial scheme that goes back to Anthony Vale."

Roman's brother.

Emily felt the familiar chill.

"Was Anthony involved?"

"At first. But he eventually tried to withdraw."

"What happened?"

"Daniel convinced him that Thomas Carter was responsible for the losses. He convinced Thomas that Anthony was trying to force him out. They spent years blaming each other while Daniel collected fees on both sides."

Rebecca listened carefully.

Vanessa continued.

"By the time either man understood what was happening, Daniel had built a network of companies that depended on the disputed assets."

Emily leaned forward.

"Why did you help him?"

Vanessa swallowed.

"Because I was ambitious. Because I liked the money. And because I thought the paperwork made everything legal."

"Did you know it was wrong?"

Vanessa didn't look away.

"Eventually, yes."

Emily felt a wave of disgust.

"And Garrett?"

Vanessa's expression changed.

"Garrett knew there were irregularities before he married you. He didn't know the full scope then."

Emily closed her eyes.

The last little hope that her marriage had begun honestly disappeared.

"He knew."

"Yes."

"Was he paid to marry me?"

Vanessa hesitated.

Emily's heartbeat grew louder.

"Answer me."

Vanessa shook her head.

"I don't know of any agreement paying him specifically to marry you. But he received substantial consulting payments from companies controlled by Daniel around the time of your engagement."

Emily felt her eyes burn.

"And he didn't tell me."

"No."

"Did you two plan to leave me after the merger?"

Vanessa looked down.

"Yes."

Emily stared at her.

The truth was almost easier to hear now.

It had stopped being surprising.

It was merely another cruel fact to place beside the others.

Vanessa continued.

"Garrett told me he'd arrange a settlement for you. He claimed you'd be financially secure."

Emily laughed bitterly.

"With my own money?"

Vanessa didn't answer.

Emily looked away.

For several moments, no one spoke.

Then Vanessa said, "Daniel is going to use your pregnancy."

Emily turned sharply.

"What?"

"Not physically. Legally and emotionally."

"Explain."

"He's convinced Garrett that prolonged litigation could drain Carter Harbor and affect your personal finances. He expects Garrett to use concern for the baby as a reason to pressure you into an agreement."

Emily felt sick.

"He already tried."

"I know."

"How?"

Vanessa's face changed.

"Because I helped prepare the strategy."

Olivia stood.

"You unbelievable—"

"Olivia," Emily said.

Her friend stopped.

Emily looked at Vanessa.

"Keep talking."

Vanessa swallowed.

"Daniel believes you'll eventually choose certainty over litigation. He's prepared a revised settlement that gives you immediate cash in exchange for voting restrictions and a release of claims."

"How much cash?"

"Five million dollars."

Emily stared.

Five million.

Enough to buy a beautiful home.

Enough to secure her daughter's education.

Enough to live comfortably for decades.

For a moment, she imagined the relief.

No board meetings.

No threats.

No more old secrets.

Just a quiet house and a child she could raise without fear.

Then she thought of her father's employees.

Of the marina workers.

Of the tenants in the apartments.

Of Walter crying in his hospital bed.

And of a man who had spent fourteen years engineering a scheme that depended on people being too frightened or exhausted to fight.

"What happens to the company if I take it?" Emily asked.

Vanessa looked down.

"Daniel gains effective control of the voting bloc he needs to complete the restructuring."

"And the records?"

"Claims covered by the release become harder to pursue."

Emily shook her head.

"No."

Vanessa closed her eyes.

"I thought you'd say that."

"Then why are you here?"

The attorney looked frightened again.

"Because Daniel doesn't trust Garrett anymore."

Emily frowned.

"Why not?"

"Garrett has started keeping copies of records. He asked questions after your father died. At first, Daniel convinced him the transactions were harmless. But Garrett recently discovered payments he couldn't explain."

Emily leaned forward.

"Where is Garrett?"

Vanessa hesitated.

"I don't know."

A silence followed.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"He stopped answering my calls yesterday."

Emily stared.

"Maybe he finally realized cheating on his wife wasn't a full-time occupation."

Vanessa's eyes filled.

"Emily, I'm serious."

Rebecca leaned forward.

"Have you reported him missing?"

"Not yet. I don't know whether he left voluntarily."

Emily felt her stomach tighten.

She hated that she still cared whether Garrett was safe.

She hated that years of loving him couldn't be switched off like a light.

But she was not going to pretend he deserved harm.

"Then contact the police if you have grounds for concern," Rebecca said.

Vanessa nodded.

Then she stood.

"One last thing."

Emily looked up.

Vanessa swallowed.

"The card in the flowers."

The room went still.

Olivia stepped forward.

"What about it?"

Vanessa's voice trembled.

"I saw a photograph of it."

Emily felt cold.

"Who showed you?"

"Daniel."

Rebecca straightened.

"When?"

"Yesterday."

Emily stared.

"Did he put it there?"

Vanessa shook her head.

"I don't know. But he was angry about it."

"Why?"

"Because the message told you to stop the merger. He wanted you to sign."

Emily's mind raced.

"Then someone else sent it."

"Possibly."

Vanessa looked toward the door.

"Daniel said somebody was trying to interfere with his negotiations."

Emily gripped the chair.

"Who?"

Vanessa answered softly.

"Roman Vale."

Emily felt her breath catch.

Roman.

The man who had warned her at the hotel.

The man connected to Pier Nine.

The man who had offered to help.

Was it possible he'd sent the threat?

But the thought didn't fit.

Roman had never pressured her to stop the merger through fear.

He had encouraged her to obtain legal advice.

He had disclosed damaging information about himself.

And he'd accepted her request not to contact him directly.

Still, Emily knew better than to assume.

She looked at Rebecca.

"Can we ask him?"

Rebecca nodded.

"Yes. Through counsel."

Vanessa turned toward the door.

Emily stopped her.

"Vanessa."

She looked back.

"If you really want to make this right, tell the truth to investigators. Not just the parts that make you look better."

Vanessa's face crumpled.

"I know."

"Do you?"

Emily stood slowly.

"You don't get to come here, cry, and make yourself the victim of a story you helped create."

Vanessa lowered her head.

"You're right."

Emily's voice shook.

"I don't know whether Garrett is missing, hiding, or lying again. I don't know whether Daniel is threatening you. But I know you had choices."

Vanessa nodded.

"And you made them."

"Yes."

Emily looked at her for a long moment.

Then said, "So now make different ones."

Vanessa left.

For several seconds, the room remained silent.

Then Olivia exhaled.

"I need coffee strong enough to erase that conversation."

Emily almost laughed.

Rebecca closed the file.

"We now have reason to believe Daniel Mercer is Elliot Ward. We also have multiple accounts of possible fraud, coercion, and undisclosed financial interests. The next step is to make sure investigators receive the evidence through appropriate channels."

Emily sat down.

"And Roman?"

"I'll contact his attorney."

An hour later, Roman arrived with his general counsel.

When Rebecca told him about the threatening card, he looked genuinely surprised.

"I didn't send it."

Emily watched him.

"Did anyone working for you?"

"Not with my authorization."

"That isn't the same answer."

Roman nodded.

"Then I'll ask my security director to review what can lawfully be reviewed and provide any relevant information to the police."

Emily studied his face.

"Daniel told Vanessa you were trying to interfere with his merger."

"I am trying to prevent a transaction I believe is based on deception. Through lawful means."

"Do you want Carter Harbor?"

"No."

"Pier Nine?"

"No."

"Then what do you want?"

Roman looked at her.

"To finish what your father and I started."

Emily swallowed.

"Why?"

Roman's expression changed.

"Because Anthony spent the last years of his life believing he'd ruined everything. Because Thomas died before clearing his company's name. And because I should have acted sooner."

Emily stared at him.

"That's guilt."

"Partly."

"What else?"

Roman hesitated.

Then looked toward her stomach.

"Because I don't want another child growing up with lies that could have been stopped."

Something in his voice made Emily pause.

"Another child?"

Roman looked away.

For the first time since meeting him, he seemed uncertain.

"Roman?"

He exhaled.

"I had a daughter."

Emily's heart stopped for a moment.

"Had?"

"Her name was Isabel."

Emily covered her mouth.

"How old?"

"Six."

The room went quiet.

Roman's face remained composed, but his eyes had changed.

"She died in a car accident nineteen years ago. Her mother was driving. Neither survived."

Emily felt tears gather.

"I'm so sorry."

Roman nodded once.

"I spent years believing I could control every danger around the people I loved. Then I learned how little that meant."

Emily looked at the powerful man across the table.

She had heard stories about Roman Vale.

About his wealth.

His influence.

His enemies.

His temper.

Nobody had ever mentioned a six-year-old girl named Isabel.

He continued quietly.

"I stopped believing that power could fix everything. I wish I'd learned sooner."

Emily rested her hands on her belly.

Suddenly, she understood why Roman had looked so frightened outside her hospital room.

Why he had stayed.

Why he never promised that everything would be fine.

He knew the cost of promises that couldn't be kept.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Emily asked, "Do you still have pictures of her?"

Roman looked surprised.

"Yes."

"Would you show me someday?"

His expression softened.

"If you'd like."

Emily nodded.

"I would."

Rebecca's phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

Then stood.

"Excuse me."

She stepped into the adjoining room.

Emily watched her through the glass partition.

Rebecca listened.

Her expression changed.

She began taking notes.

After several minutes, she returned.

"That was Detective Mitchell."

Emily straightened.

"Is Garrett okay?"

Rebecca nodded.

"He's alive."

Emily exhaled.

"Where?"

"He appeared at a police station this morning with an attorney. He's provided documents and made allegations concerning Daniel Mercer."

Olivia crossed her arms.

"About time."

Rebecca's expression remained serious.

"There's more."

Emily waited.

"Garrett says Daniel plans to transfer the Baycrest interests to an offshore entity before investigators can obtain all the records."

Roman leaned forward.

"When?"

"Within forty-eight hours."

Emily felt cold.

"And if he does?"

"The records and assets may become harder to trace, though not necessarily beyond recovery."

Roman stood.

"Then we need to move quickly."

Rebecca held up a hand.

"Through investigators and the courts."

Roman nodded.

"Agreed."

Emily looked at them both.

For days, she'd felt like a passenger in a car speeding toward a wall.

Now she was tired of being carried along.

She placed her hands on the table.

"No."

Everyone looked at her.

Emily stood.

"I am not sitting quietly while all of you decide what happens to my company."

Rebecca's expression softened.

"Emily, no one's asking you to."

"Then tell me what I can do."

Rebecca considered the question.

"You can exercise your shareholder rights, work with the independent directors, and provide testimony and records. We can also seek emergency relief if the evidence supports it."

Emily nodded.

"Then that's what we're doing."

Roman watched her.

Something like respect crossed his face.

Not pity.

Not protectiveness.

Respect.

Emily noticed.

For the first time in days, she felt something other than grief.

Determination.

Then her phone buzzed.

An unfamiliar number.