Chapter 9 - Michael Comes Home
Michael arrived at the building the next morning with two lawyers.
He wanted clothing.
Emily could not legally prevent him from retrieving personal belongings.
Rachel arranged for security to remain present.
Ava stayed upstairs with Claire.
When Michael stepped from the elevator, he looked exhausted.
His hair was uncombed.
The expensive navy coat Emily had given him the previous Christmas hung open.
For several seconds, husband and wife simply looked at each other.
Then Michael said, “You changed the locks.”
“The building changed your access.”
“At your request.”
“Yes.”
His attorney touched his arm.
Michael ignored her.
“Can we speak alone?”
“No.”
“Emily.”
“No.”
The word surprised them both.
Michael looked toward the study.
“Where’s Ava?”
“Upstairs.”
“I want to see her.”
“Your scheduled call is tonight.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“And right now she doesn’t want to see you in person.”
Pain crossed his face.
Real pain.
Emily almost softened.
Then she remembered the hidden camera.
“Did you photograph my medication?”
Michael looked away.
His attorney intervened.
“We’re not discussing pending litigation.”
Emily laughed once.
“Of course.”
Michael walked to the bedroom accompanied by security.
Twenty minutes later he returned carrying two suitcases.
He stopped near the dining table.
The repaired birthday dress lay folded beside Ava’s new tulle cape.
Michael stared at it.
“You fixed it.”
“Ava did.”
He touched the edge of the cape.
Emily stepped forward.
“Don’t.”
His hand fell.
“Did Mom really say Ava looked prettier than her?”
Emily stared.
“You don’t know?”
“I didn’t hear what happened before the fabric tore.”
“You didn’t ask.”
Michael closed his eyes.
“I know.”
“Why did you defend her?”
He looked toward the security officers.
“Not here.”
“You were happy to accuse me in court.”
His jaw tightened.
“Mom said she only pulled off the outer layer because Ava was being rude.”
“She was six.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Michael’s attorney murmured his name.
He raised a hand.
“I want five minutes.”
Emily said, “Three.”
Michael looked ashamed.
“I knew Mom wanted to upset you.”
Emily felt the familiar wound open.
“I heard the recording.”
His face changed.
“What recording?”
“The camera you hid in my father’s study.”
Color drained from him.
Michael looked genuinely shocked.
“I didn’t put a camera in your father’s study.”
“You paid someone to install it.”
“I paid him to put one in the library.”
Emily paused.
The distinction was horrifying.
“Why?”
“Mom insisted.”
“Why?”
“To record the signing.”
Emily stared.
“You expected me to sign?”
“I hoped.”
“While upset.”
He said nothing.
“You told Diane not to involve Ava.”
“I meant it.”
“But you still let her do whatever she wanted.”
“I didn’t know she would touch Ava’s dress.”
“You knew she planned to provoke me through our daughter.”
His voice broke slightly.
“I thought she’d make a comment.”
Emily’s eyes burned.
“And that was acceptable?”
“No.”
“But useful.”
Michael looked down.
“Yes.”
The admission was quieter than she expected.
It hurt more because of that.
“Why, Michael?”
“Hudson.”
“Twelve million dollars?”
His head snapped up.
“You know?”
“I know more every hour.”
His shoulders sagged.
“The project was supposed to refinance six months ago. Interest rates changed. Costs exploded. Investors pulled back.”
“So you decided my home should save you.”
“I decided I needed collateral.”
“My collateral.”
“I thought if I could prove an equitable interest—”
“You would lie.”
“I would negotiate.”
Emily laughed bitterly.
“You sound like Diane.”
His face hardened.
“Don’t.”
“Why? Isn’t that what she taught you?”
Michael lowered his voice.
“You think I wanted this?”
“I think wanting stopped mattering when you started doing.”
That landed.
He looked away.
Emily continued.
“What is EB Design Consulting?”
Every muscle in Michael’s face went still.
For the first time, she saw fear that had nothing to do with divorce.
“Where did you hear that?”
“My father.”
“Samuel’s dead.”
“But his records aren’t.”
Michael glanced toward his attorney.
She looked confused.
“Michael?” she asked.
Emily took one step closer.
“Who receives the money?”
“I can’t discuss Sterling business.”
“You used my initials.”
“That was Mom’s idea.”
Emily almost smiled from disbelief.
“Of course it was.”
“No. Listen to me.”
Michael’s urgency changed.
“EB Design wasn’t created to steal from you.”
“That’s comforting.”
“It was used to move money.”
“To you?”
“At first.”
“At first?”
His lawyer said sharply, “Stop talking.”
Michael ignored her.
“Then Richard took control.”
“Your uncle?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“He handles finance.”
“You signed filings.”
“Not all of them.”
Emily studied him.
He looked frightened.
Not performatively.
Truly frightened.
“Why is Richard dangerous?”
Michael glanced toward the study door.
Then lowered his voice.
“Because my mother thinks she controls Sterling Properties.”
“And?”
“She doesn’t.”
“Who does?”
“Richard.”
Emily folded her arms.
“What does that have to do with me?”
Michael looked directly at her.
“Your father figured out Richard was siphoning money.”
Emily stopped breathing.
“And you knew?”
“Not until after Samuel died.”
“Did you tell me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard had records showing I helped create the first shell companies.”
Emily felt disgust settle where love used to be.
“So he owned you.”
Michael’s silence answered.
His attorney stepped between them.
“We’re leaving.”
Michael picked up his suitcase.
At the elevator, he turned.
“Emily.”
She didn’t answer.
“If Richard knows you have Harbor Ledger, he will come after the documents.”
Her spine stiffened.
“I never said Harbor Ledger.”
Michael realized his mistake.
Too late.
The elevator opened.
Emily whispered, “How do you know what my father called it?”
Michael’s face changed.
May you like
Then the doors closed.
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