And then we found the document that explained why he had been so desperate to control everything.
Daniel was deeply in debt.
Much deeper than anyone knew.
The expensive house.
The cars.
The vacations.
The designer clothes.
The business.
It had all been supported by borrowed money.
He had been moving money around to keep the appearance of success alive.
And when the debts became too large, he began using other people’s names.
Mine first.
Then Chloe’s.
His plan had been simple.
Build a new life.
Move the assets.
Leave the debts behind.
Make the divorce look like a normal separation.
Then start over with Chloe.
But he had underestimated one thing.
Documents leave a trail.
And now two women who had every reason to hate each other were sitting in the same lawyer’s office comparing notes.
Daniel couldn’t control the story anymore.
He requested a meeting.
My attorney advised me not to go alone.
So I met him with her present.
Daniel looked different.
Not older.
Just smaller.
The confidence was gone.
He sat across from me.
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
I almost laughed.
“You forged my signature.”
“I was under pressure.”
“You lied to me for years.”
