Chapter 7 - The Bitter Truth
The word "kidnapper" hung violently in the air as Richard disconnected the call.
Panic erupted among the dinner guests, several of them quickly grabbing their coats and rushing for the exit.
They wanted absolutely no part in an active criminal investigation.
I stood frozen, staring intensely at the blank signature line on Clara's legal document.
"That is impossible," I whispered, my mind racing back to that rainy night twenty years ago.
"Richard brought me the adoption papers a week after you left, and they were fully signed and notarized."
Richard chuckled darkly, slipping his phone casually back into his tailored pocket.
"Oh, Margaret, you have always been so terribly naive," Richard mocked.
"Did you really think a desperate addict like Clara would sit down and do formal legal paperwork?"
The horrifying truth finally dawned on me, hitting me like a physical blow to the chest.
Richard had never filed official adoption papers with the state courts.
He had simply handed me forged documents to keep me quiet, docile, and completely trapped in our marriage.
He needed me to raise his illegitimate child while he continued to secretly live his selfish life.
"You forged the adoption papers too," I gasped, feeling incredibly sick to my stomach.
"You let me believe he was legally mine for twenty years, just to use it as a weapon against me later."
Richard shrugged nonchalantly, showing absolutely no remorse for his monstrous deceit.
"It was a brilliant insurance policy," Richard admitted proudly to the remaining crowd.
"I knew one day you would try to take my money, so I made sure I could take your freedom in return."
Clara walked around the table and tried to place her hand gently on Ethan's cheek.
"It's okay now, baby," Clara cooed with deeply fake maternal warmth.
"Your real mom is here, and we are going to be so rich once we sue her for emotional damages."
Ethan did not flinch, nor did he pull away from her unwanted touch.
Instead, he slowly turned his head and looked at Clara with absolute, freezing contempt.
"Don't touch me," Ethan said, his voice dripping with pure venom.
Clara quickly pulled her hand back as if she had just touched a burning stove.
"Ethan, we are trying to legally save you from this criminal!" Richard shouted, clearly losing his patience.
"She lied to you your entire life!"
Ethan reached deeply into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, silver digital voice recorder.
"You know, Richard, when you leave your briefcase unlocked in the home office, you really shouldn't be surprised when people look inside," Ethan stated calmly.
He pressed a button on the side of the small device and placed it carefully on the table.
A harsh, static-filled recording of a telephone conversation began to play loudly through the room.
"I need you in Chicago by Thursday, Clara," Richard's recorded voice demanded clearly.
"If you play the grieving mother and help me frame Margaret for kidnapping, I will give you half of the offshore money."
The real Richard turned completely pale, staring at the little silver device in utter horror.
"But what about the kid?" Clara's recorded voice asked carelessly through the speaker.
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"Screw the kid," Richard's recorded voice replied coldly.
"Once Margaret is locked in prison, we'll drain the accounts and leave him with nothing."
