Chapter 4 - The Bank RecordsThe next morning, Summer took the documents to an attorney.
His name was Daniel Brooks.
He specialized in financial fraud and family estate disputes.
He reviewed everything.
Then he asked:
“Did you authorize any of these transfers?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the forty thousand?”
“No.”
“Was the money used for household expenses?”
“No.”
Daniel nodded.
“Then you may have a strong case.”
Summer looked at him.
“What about the house?”
“Whose name is it in?”
“Both of ours.”
“Then we need to protect your equity immediately.”
That afternoon, Summer opened a separate bank account.
She moved her salary.
She changed passwords.
She secured her personal documents.
And she contacted the mortgage company.
For the first time in eight years, she was financially independent.
Meanwhile, Evelyn confronted Andy.
“Tell me everything.”
He sat across from her.
“I made mistakes.”
“You stole from your father's estate.”
“I borrowed.”
“You lied to me.”
“I was going to pay it back.”
“With what?”
Andy looked down.
“Bonuses.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“You don't have bonuses.”
Andy remained silent.
“You spent it.”
“Yes.”
“On what?”
He didn't answer.
Evelyn opened the receipts.
Rims.
Restaurants.
Hotels.
Luxury clothing.
Gifts.
Trips.
And payments to Samantha.
Evelyn stared at the list.
“Who is Samantha?”
Andy closed his eyes.
“Mom…”
“Who is she?”
“My coworker.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
He said nothing.
Evelyn understood.
She stood.
“I am ashamed of you.”
Andy looked up.
“Mom.”
“No.”
She walked toward the door.
“You didn't just steal money.”
She turned.
“You stole your wife's dignity.”
Andy looked away.
That evening, Summer received a message from Samantha.
We need to talk.
Summer didn't respond.
Another message arrived.
You don't know what Andy promised me.
Then another.
He said you would be gone by Christmas.
Summer stared at the screen.
Christmas was six weeks away.
She showed Daniel.
He frowned.
“Don't respond.”
“I wasn't going to.”
“Good.”
Then he asked:
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“Yes.”
“I think Samantha knows more than she is saying.”
May you like
Summer nodded.
“Then we'll let her talk.”
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