Part 2:
The access history was not the only evidence waiting for me.
A banking notification showed that $18,500 had been transferred from the account Damon and I had created for hospital costs and my maternity leave.
The recipient was Riverton Heights Residential.
An apartment complex.
I saved the bank record, emailed the photograph and security log to myself, and contacted a family lawyer before Damon returned with the water.
I did not confront him.
Claire texted me later that evening.
How did the ultrasound go? I can’t wait to meet my goddaughter.
I answered:
She’s healthy. The shower should happen exactly as planned.
Four days later, Claire stood beneath pink balloons in my living room, holding a glass beside her fiancé.
Damon placed one hand on my shoulder.
“Felicity isn’t just my best friend,” Claire told our families. “She’s the sister I chose.”
I pulled a photograph from the envelope hidden under my chair and placed it beside my daughter’s ultrasound image.
In the picture, the champagne lace camisole rested beneath the bench in my bedroom, beside Damon’s shirt and our unmade bed.
Claire’s smile disappeared.
Damon said, “That could belong to anyone.”
Owen moved closer.
His gaze fixed on the small blue charm attached to one strap.
Then he looked at Claire’s engagement ring.
“No,” he said quietly. “That doesn’t belong to anyone.”
His expression shifted.
“I bought that for Claire.”
The words seemed to drain every sound from the room.
“I bought that for Claire.”
