Chapter 7: The Secret Hidden in My First Wife's Records
David stood alone in the kitchen, staring at the attachment Karen had sent.
*MICHAEL_BIRTH_RECORDS.pdf.*
His sister had always been involved in his family's affairs. She had helped organize Michael's first birthday, kept photographs from his childhood, and even accompanied David to the hospital when his wife, Emily, gave birth.
But there was something about the filename that made his stomach tighten.
He opened the attachment.
The first page was a copy of Michael's original birth certificate.
Everything appeared normal.
Michael's name. Emily's name. David's name.
Then he noticed a second document.
It was a hospital record dated six years earlier.
David remembered that day.
Emily had been sick for several weeks. She had complained of headaches and exhaustion, but she kept insisting she was fine. By the time they reached the hospital, her condition had deteriorated.
She died two days later.
David had never fully recovered.
He scrolled through the document.
There were medical notes, emergency contacts, and a list of people who had visited Emily.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Karen.
David frowned.
Why would his sister's name appear on so many hospital records?
He opened the next page.
It contained a statement written by a hospital administrator.
The statement mentioned that Karen had requested copies of certain medical documents after Emily's death.
David's phone rang.
Karen.
He answered immediately.
"What did you send me?""
His sister sounded calm.
"David, I think you should read everything before you start making accusations.""
"Why do you have Michael's birth records?""
"They were in Mom's old files.""
"Why are you sending them to me now?""
"Because Sarah has been asking questions about your first marriage.""
David's jaw tightened.
"What questions?""
"She wanted to know whether Emily had made any financial arrangements for Michael.""
David looked at the documents.
"Emily had a life insurance policy. I handled everything after she died.""
"Did you?""
The question unsettled him.
"What does that mean?""
Karen sighed.
"David, I didn't want to bring this up. But you deserve to know.""
"Then tell me.""
There was a pause.
"Emily changed her beneficiary arrangements shortly before she died.""
David frowned.
"That's impossible. I handled the policy.""
"Not all of it.""
David looked at the document again.
A page near the bottom contained a reference to a separate trust.
It had been established in Michael's name.
He remembered nothing about it.
"Why didn't I know about this?""
"Because Emily didn't want you involved in that decision.""
David felt as though someone had pulled the floor from beneath him.
"You're telling me my wife created a trust for our son without telling me?""
"She was worried about his future.""
"What was she worried about?""
Karen lowered her voice.
"She believed that one day someone might try to take advantage of you.""
David looked toward the staircase.
"Who?""
"I can't explain everything over the phone.""
"Then come here.""
"I don't think that's a good idea.""
"Karen, you've been interfering in my marriage, sending Sarah documents, and discussing my son's future behind my back. You're going to explain yourself.""
Karen exhaled.
"Fine. I'll come tomorrow morning.""
David ended the call.
He looked at the documents again.
The trust information was incomplete, but one page contained a reference number and the name of a law firm.
He took a photograph of it and sent it to Mark, his attorney.
Then he went upstairs.
Michael was sitting on his bed, holding a framed photograph of Emily.
He looked up when David entered.
"Are you okay?""
David sat beside him.
"I should be asking you that.""
Michael shrugged.
"I'm fine.""
David looked at the photograph.
Emily was smiling, holding a tiny Michael in her arms.
"Your mom would have been proud of you.""
Michael ran his thumb along the edge of the frame.
"Do you think she'd like Sarah?""
David considered the question.
"I think she'd want everyone in this house to be kind to you.""
Michael nodded.
Then he asked something that made David's heart ache.
"Did Mom leave me something?""
David looked at him.
"What do you mean?""
Michael hesitated.
"Sarah once said my mom left money for me. She said you spent most of it.""
David went completely still.
"When did she say that?""
"A few weeks ago. She said I should stop asking for expensive things because Dad already used up Mom's money.""
David felt anger rising in his chest.
"I never spent money that belonged to you.""
Michael looked uncertain.
"She said there was nothing left.""
David placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Listen to me. I don't know exactly what your mother arranged, but I promise I'll find out.""
Michael nodded.
"Okay.""
David stood to leave.
But Michael reached for his sleeve.
"Can I ask you something?""
"Anything.""
"If Grandma's house is better, would you let me stay there?""
David sat down again.
"Why would you ask that?""
"Because I don't want you and Sarah fighting because of me.""
David took both his son's hands.
"Michael, adults are responsible for their own choices. You didn't cause this. You didn't make anyone lie.
You didn't make anyone take your money. And you certainly didn't make anyone tell you that you don't belong here.""
Michael's eyes filled.
David pulled him into a hug.
"You are not a problem I need to solve. You're my son.""
For a moment, Michael held on tightly.
Then David returned downstairs.
Sarah was sitting on the living room sofa.
Her purse was beside her, and her eyes were swollen.
"Did you read the email?"" she asked.
"Yes.""
"Karen said she would come tomorrow.""
"She did.""
Sarah looked toward the staircase.
"David, I need you to understand something.""
He remained standing.
"Go ahead.""
"When I married you, I knew Michael would always be part of your life. I accepted that.""
"Michael wasn't an optional part of my life.""
"I know.""
"Then why did you treat him like a guest?""
Sarah began crying.
"Because Karen convinced me that I was building a future for Jordan while you were protecting Michael's future.""
David stared at her.
"Those things were never in competition.""
"I know that now.""
He looked at her for a long moment.
"Did you know about Emily's trust?""
Sarah shook her head.
"No.""
"Did Karen tell you that Emily had left money for Michael?""
Sarah hesitated.
"She said something about it.""
David's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly?""
Sarah looked down.
"She said the money had been used years ago.""
David took a slow breath.
"That's not what Michael's mother told me.""
Sarah looked up.
"What?""
David turned toward the kitchen counter, where the documents were spread out.
He had just received a message from Mark.
It contained a preliminary result from the trust reference number.
The trust still existed.
And according to the available records, it had never been closed.
David looked at Sarah.
"There's money in that trust.""
Her face went pale.
"How much?""
David looked back at the message.
Then another notification appeared.
Mark had sent a second message.
*The current trustee is Karen. We need to speak immediately.*
David slowly lowered the phone.
His sister hadn't simply been giving Sarah advice.
She had been controlling something that belonged to Michael.
And tomorrow morning, David intended to find out why.
But before he could take another breath, Sarah whispered:
"David, there's one more thing Karen told me about Emily.""
He turned.
"What?""
Sarah looked terrified.
"She said Emily didn't die believing everything was okay.""
David stared at her.
"What are you talking about?""
May you like
Sarah swallowed.
"Karen said Emily had been planning to leave you before she died.""
