Chapter 2: Don't Sign Anything Tonight
Four minutes.
Daniel finally pushed back his chair.
I thought — for one second — he was going to stand up for us.
He walked to the bar and poured himself a drink.
Madison watched him go, then looked back at me with a slow smile.
"He's not coming to save you, Claire."
"I know," I said.
"I'm not waiting to be saved."
My father reached over and touched my hand.
He didn't say a word.
He didn't have to.
Three minutes.
That's when Daniel's father leaned forward.
"Young lady, I don't know what you think gives you the right—"
"I'll tell you exactly what gives me the right." I opened my bag and set a single folded document on the table.
"That credit line keeping your business alive?
My name is on it.
Not Daniel's.
Mine.
Every payment for the last two years has come from my account."
The table went very quiet.
Madison's smile disappeared.
Daniel turned from the bar.
The glass in his hand went still.
"Where did you get that?" he said.
"I've had it for six months," I said.
"I was waiting to see if you'd ever choose us."
Daniel's father started to speak.
But before he could, my phone buzzed on the table.
I looked down.
It was a message from a number I didn't recognize.
Four words:
*Don't sign anything tonight.*
May you like
What Claire found out next changed everything — and Daniel's family had no idea how much she already knew.
Click the link below to read the full story.
