Eight Months Pregnant, I Found My Husband Holding Another Woman on Christmas Eve—By Morning, My Ring Was Under the Tree and His Empire Was Falling Apart

"No," Marcus said.

"Agreed," Miriam said.

"Also no," Margaret added.

I looked around the hospital room. "I appreciate the democracy."

Daniel wanted to meet at St. Vincent's, an old church near the river that had been closed for restoration. He gave one time: 2:00 p.m.

I went with Marcus behind me, two plainclothes detectives outside, and a microphone under my sweater.

Daniel Carter sat in the front pew beneath a sheet-covered statue.

He looked like Roman around the eyes and nowhere else. Tired. Nervous. Human.

"You look like hell," he said.

"I'm nine months pregnant and your brother forged my signature. Adjust your standards."

He almost smiled.

Then he handed me a small hard drive.

"Roman thinks I disappeared because I was weak. I disappeared because I didn't want to become him."

"Why help me now?"

"Because Dad did the same thing to our mother. Money, security, doctors, drivers. Everything was called protection until she realized she could not leave without permission."

My skin prickled.

"Roman knows that."

"Roman learned from it."

Daniel's voice cracked on the last word.

He explained that Northstar was not just a merger. Victor Sloane's company carried hidden debt. Roman planned to combine it with Carter Meridian, inflate the merged valuation, then refinance before the debt surfaced. My trust shares made the vote possible and gave lenders comfort.

"He needs your name clean," Daniel said. "That's why he married you."

The words hit harder than the affair.

"That's not true."

"Maybe not at first. I don't know. But by the time your father died, your shares were part of every plan Roman made."

I wanted to leave. I wanted to call him a liar.

Instead, I asked, "What's on the encrypted file?"

Daniel stared toward the altar.

"A recording from six days ago. Roman and Sloane discussing what to do if you refuse."

"What did they say?"

"You should hear it yourself."

He gave me the password.

Before I could ask anything else, a side door slammed.