Chapter 2 – The Letter My Mother Left Behind
Every sound in the driveway disappeared.
Even Ryan stopped arguing.
The leather folder felt heavier than paper should.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Inside lay a handwritten letter.
My mother's elegant script covered the first page.
My dearest Lauren,
If you are reading this, then two things have happened. I am gone... and someone you trusted has betrayed you.
Tears blurred the words.
I forced myself to continue.
I never wanted you to believe wealth could protect your heart. It cannot. Character does that.
Beneath the letter rested another document.
A private investigation.
Months of photographs.
Bank transfers.
Hotel receipts.
Hidden phone records.
Ryan's affair hadn't started recently.
It had begun almost eighteen months earlier.
Long before my mother became ill.
Long before he pretended to comfort me through hospital visits.
My stomach twisted.
There were even surveillance photos of Ryan entering luxury jewelry stores using a company credit card issued through one of my family's businesses.
Every purchase had been for his mistress.
Every dollar stolen from the trust.
The final page carried my mother's signature beside that of our family attorney.
If Ryan attempts to seize any Cole Family property after my death, this file is to be delivered immediately to law enforcement and the District Attorney's Financial Crimes Division.
I looked up.
Ryan had been watching every expression on my face.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
I smiled for the first time in weeks.
"My mother," I answered quietly, "knew exactly who you were."
At that moment, one of the Sentinel officers approached.
"Director Cole."
I nodded.
"Proceed."
Within seconds another officer read aloud from a warrant.
"Ryan Bennett, you are being detained pending investigation for suspected fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and unlawful use of trust assets."
Ryan laughed nervously.
"This is ridiculous."
Then handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
His laughter disappeared.
Behind him, his girlfriend slowly backed away.
May you like
She suddenly understood she had never been dating a wealthy man.
She had been dating a thief.
