Chapter 6 - THE SECOND AGREEMENT
Emily had signed a second document.
She admitted it reluctantly.
Derek drafted it during the seventh month of pregnancy.
In exchange for monthly support, Emily agreed not to seek formal paternity recognition until Noah turned one.
Claire stared.
“Why would you sign that?”
Emily looked ashamed.
“I had no insurance. I was behind on rent. He offered six thousand a month.”
“Did he pay?”
“For three months.”
Then stopped after Noah was born.
Emily said Derek told her formal recognition would “complicate family assets.”
She knew that much.
She did not know the amount.
Claire asked:
“So you knew my children were coming?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know his family trust could change?”
“No.”
“Did you care that he was married?”
Emily looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Not enough.”
“No.”
Good answer.
No excuses.
Then Emily revealed something else.
During pregnancy, Patricia asked her to use a different last name at the hospital.
Emily refused.
Patricia also offered another thirty thousand dollars after delivery if Emily listed no father on the birth certificate.
Emily refused that too.
Then she showed Claire the message.
Patricia:
Once Claire’s son is registered, this becomes easier for everyone.
There.
Direct timing.
Naomi almost smiled when she read it.
Patricia had tied Noah’s concealment to Claire’s son’s registration.
Then Derek’s lawyer attacked the authenticity.
Could be altered.
Forensic extraction was ordered.
Real.
That hurt Derek badly.
Then Patricia changed strategy.
She turned on Derek.
In a sworn statement, she claimed the entire plan came from him.
She said she believed the trust arrangement was legal and the payments to Emily were merely privacy settlements.
Derek exploded privately.
“You told me to keep her quiet!”
Patricia’s attorney told him to stop speaking.
The family began splitting.
Then Naomi’s accountant found a side account.
Walsh Child Administration had a second operating agreement.
Secret.
Derek personally received ninety percent of any “extraordinary transaction bonus.”
Patricia had not seen it.
If the Miami redevelopment succeeded, Derek would have cut his own mother out of most of the upside.
Claire stared.
“Everyone is stealing from everyone.”
Naomi nodded.
Then Patricia called again.
This time her voice shook.
“I have documents.”
“What kind?”
“The kind that prove Derek was planning another child trust before Emily.”
Claire stopped breathing.
“Another child?”
May you like
Patricia whispered:
“I think Noah isn’t the first.”
