Chapter 8: What David Took
The courtroom door closed behind Evelyn, but Chloe’s fingers slipped out of mine.
“What trust account?”
David sat down heavily.
“Hannah, let Chloe go outside with Naomi.”
“No,” Chloe said.
“It has my name on it.
I’m staying.”
David pressed both hands together.
“My father left money for Chloe.
Mom controlled the account until I became trustee.”
“How much was there?” I asked.
“Sixty thousand dollars.”
“And where is it now?”
“I moved it into the investment.”
Chloe stared at him.
“You took Grandpa’s money?”
“I believed I could double it before you ever needed it.”
“That wasn’t your choice.”
“No.”
“You told me Grandpa wanted me to go to college.”
“He did.”
“Then why did you take the one thing he left for me?”
David’s chin dropped.
Chloe wiped her cheek with the heel of her hand, and I pulled her against me.
“You didn’t lose that money,” I told her.
“Your father took it.
Those are different things.”
David looked up.
“She deserves to hear me say it.
I took it, Chloe.
I lied to your mother, and I let Grandma frighten me into more lies.
I am sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t put it back.”
“No.
It doesn’t.”
Naomi returned carrying a court order.
“The judge froze Evelyn’s investment account.
Bank records show that Chloe’s money passed through it before being sent to Beckett’s project.”
“Can we recover it?” I asked.
“Some of it immediately.
We fight for the rest.”
David removed his watch and set it beside his car keys.
“Sell my car.
Sell everything that belongs to me.”
I met his eyes.
“You will repay Chloe because the court orders you to, not because you want credit for offering.”
He nodded once.
“I understand.”
I picked up my wedding ring from the small pocket in my purse.
David watched as I placed it in his palm.
“Our marriage is over.”
“Hannah—”
“You can still become a better father.
But you will not practice becoming a better man at Chloe’s expense.”
Chloe took my hand.
“Can we go home now?”
May you like
“Yes,” I said.
“We can go home.”
