Chapter 5 - BETH HAD BEEN WAITING FOR CLAIRE TO BREAK
Beth was the easiest to investigate because Beth believed deleting texts meant deleting history.
It didn’t.
Cloud backups existed.
So did screenshots.
A text to Evelyn:
Claire acts like this house makes her queen.
Evelyn:
After the postnup, she won't be able to threaten us with it.
Beth:
She'll sign. David says she caves when Rose is involved.
Claire went cold.
Maya looked at her.
“Keep reading.”
Another:
Beth:
We should push her before the anniversary dinner. If she loses it, David can say she's unstable.
Evelyn:
No scenes in front of Rose.
Beth:
Rose is exactly why she'll fold.
Claire’s hands began shaking.
The incident had not been completely spontaneous.
Maybe Beth had not planned the spit.
Maybe Evelyn had not planned the slap.
But they had planned pressure.
They wanted Claire emotionally destabilized before David presented the postnuptial agreement.
The family had turned Rose into leverage.
Then another message appeared.
David to Evelyn:
Do not overdo it. I only need Claire upset enough to agree she needs “support” managing the house.
Claire stared.
Not a husband caught between women.
A participant.
Maybe not in the slap.
Definitely in the setup.
That hurt differently.
More cleanly.
She whispered:
“He knew.”
Maya nodded.
“Yes.”
Claire looked toward the hotel bedroom where Rose was coloring at a small desk.
“He knew they were going to pressure me with Rose.”
“Yes.”
Something ended.
May you like
Not marriage paperwork.
Marriage belief.
