Chapter 16 - Eleanor's Secret
The answer was Eleanor.
Not the crime.
The access.
She had never imagined the information could be weaponized.
When Nathan confronted her, Eleanor went gray.
"I gave her the archive."
"You gave her Emma's personal information?"
"It was supposed to be for a family history project."
Nathan laughed bitterly. "Everyone in this family keeps handing private things to employees and calling it normal."
Eleanor took the blow.
"You're right."
That stopped him.
She sat down.
"Your father taught us that privacy was something the family managed for other people. He hired investigators, collected files, kept leverage. I told myself I hated it while using the same machinery whenever it was convenient."
Nathan looked at her.
"Did Dad change Emma's prenup?"
Eleanor's eyes filled.
"I don't know."
"That's not what I asked."
"I suspected he changed something after the wedding. I never looked."
Nathan stepped back as if struck.
"You suspected?"
"I was afraid of what I'd find."
"And Emma paid for your fear."
Eleanor nodded once.
"Yes."
She called Grace herself.
Then she gave a sworn statement.
The testimony helped investigators connect Martin to the altered prenup, the fake succession documents, and Olivia's access to Emma's data.
Olivia, cornered, finally cooperated.
She admitted to following Emma to Oregon and feeding gossip reporters private information.
She denied creating the fake emails.
Martin had done that.
He had wanted Nathan removed from control so the family office could push through a merger that would make Martin millions.
Olivia had wanted Nathan.
Martin had wanted power.
Together, they had convinced each other they were entitled to both.
Emma listened to Grace explain it all from the apartment above the bookstore.
"Is it over?" she asked.
"The criminal part is moving. The personal part is yours."
Emma looked toward the half-built crib Mara had helped her assemble.
Nathan was still in Newport.
He had not asked to stay with her.
He had not asked what she had decided.
That night, Emma walked to his hotel.
Nathan opened the door wearing sweatpants and an old T-shirt.
He looked shocked.
"Emma?"
"I need to ask you something."
"Anything."
"If I never come back to New York, what happens?"
Nathan swallowed.
Then he said, "I learn how to be a father from wherever you decide is safe."
Emma's eyes filled.
Before she could answer, pain knifed across her abdomen.
She doubled over.
Nathan caught her.
Water splashed across the hotel carpet.
Emma stared down.
"Nathan..."
May you like
He went pale.
Her water had broken.
