Chapter 4: The Wife He Thought He Could Erase
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The restaurant's music continued outside the office. Glasses clinked. Guests congratulated one another. Somewhere near the kitchen, a chef called out an order.
Inside the office, Tessa stared at the email on Nora's tablet.
Miles had planned everything.
The final $78,000 transfer wasn't simply supposed to cover the remaining bills. It was supposed to trigger an ownership transfer that would leave him in complete control of Carter House.
And according to the attached statement, Tessa had supposedly agreed to walk away.
"Did you sign this?"" she asked.
Miles adjusted his jacket.
"It's a standard agreement.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Tessa, we discussed separating the business finances.""
"We discussed separating our personal checking accounts. We never discussed giving you my investment.""
He shook his head impatiently.
"You're getting caught up in technicalities.""
Nora folded her arms.
"Mr. Carter, this document represents a significant change in ownership. Your wife's signature is being presented as authorization.""
Miles turned toward her.
"You're an employee. You don't need to involve yourself in our marriage.""
Nora's expression didn't change.
"I'm involved because company funds are involved.""
Tessa picked up the tablet.
"Who sent this agreement to the attorney?""
"Your husband," Nora answered.
"When?""
"Yesterday afternoon.""
Miles exhaled.
"Because the restaurant needed a clean ownership structure before opening.""
Tessa looked at the document again.
"Then why does it say I voluntarily surrendered my financial rights?""
"That's legal language.""
"Legal language doesn't magically turn a lie into the truth.""
Miles stepped closer.
"Listen to me. We can fix this without making a spectacle.""
Tessa set the tablet down.
"You've said that three times tonight.""
"Because you're refusing to listen.""
"No. I'm finally listening.""
He stared at her.
She continued.
"You told me the construction costs were higher than expected. I approved additional funding. You told me the kitchen equipment was delayed.
I paid the supplier directly. You said the restaurant needed an additional operating reserve. I gave you access to the money.""
She paused.
"At what point did you decide I was your wife only when you needed my bank account?""
Miles's face tightened.
"That's unfair.""
"Is it?""
"You know how much pressure I've been under.""
"Then why didn't you tell me about Sienna?""
He looked toward the office door.
Nora quietly stepped back.
Tessa noticed.
"Stay, Nora.""
Miles snapped his fingers toward the door.
"Can you give us a minute?""
"No," Tessa replied.
He stared at her as though she had slapped him.
"You can't talk to me like I'm some stranger.""
"Then stop treating me like an ATM.""
A sudden knock interrupted them.
A young employee opened the door.
"Mr. Carter? Sorry.
The food distributor is on the phone. They're asking about tomorrow's payment.""
Miles closed his eyes.
"Tell them I'll call back.""
"They said they've already emailed twice.""
"Then tell them I'll call back!""
The employee disappeared.
Tessa watched him.
"That's one of the vendors Nora mentioned?""
Miles didn't answer.
Nora checked her tablet.
"Yes. Their outstanding balance is approximately $31,000.""
Miles rubbed his face.
"You're making this impossible.""
Tessa tilted her head.
"No, Miles. I'm making it honest.""
He suddenly changed his tone.
"Tess, please.""
The word sounded strange coming from him.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Think about what you're doing. We built a life together. Seven years. Seven years, Tessa.""
She looked at the wedding band on her finger.
She remembered their wedding in Savannah.
Miles had cried during his vows. He had promised never to let her feel alone. He had told her that her dreams would always have room beside his.
She had believed every word.
"Do you remember what you promised me at our wedding?"" she asked.
Miles swallowed.
"Of course.""
"You said you'd never make me regret trusting you.""
"Baby, I meant that.""
"Then why did you forge my signature?""
His expression hardened again.
"I didn't forge anything!""
Nora quietly placed another document on the desk.
"Actually, Mr. Carter, the signature file appears to have been copied from a previous authorization.""
Miles turned toward her.
"Stay out of this!""
Tessa raised one hand.
"That's enough.""
She looked at Nora.
"Send every document to our legal department. Freeze all pending disbursements. Preserve the original records and the communications connected to these transfers.""
Nora nodded.
"I've already initiated a transaction review. I'll have the full file ready tonight.""
Miles stared at his wife.
"You can't freeze everything!""
"I just did.""
"You're going to put people out of work!""
"Then you should have considered those people before using their invoices to move money.""
He pointed at her.
"You think you can walk away from this? You're my wife. You can't just destroy my business and pretend it has nothing to do with you.""
Tessa looked at the man she had married.
"I didn't destroy your business.""
She picked up her clutch.
"You made a business out of my trust. I'm simply withdrawing it.""
Outside, the jazz quartet began another song.
Nora escorted Tessa toward the door.
But before they reached it, Miles spoke again.
"Wait.""
Tessa stopped.
He looked directly at her.
"There's something you don't know.""
She turned.
"What?""
Miles hesitated.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely uncertain about what to say.
Then he glanced at Nora.
"Not in front of her.""
Tessa studied his face.
"Whatever you have to say, say it now.""
He swallowed.
"Sienna isn't the only person involved.""
Tessa's fingers tightened around her clutch.
"What does that mean?""
Miles looked toward the hallway.
Then he said a name Tessa hadn't expected.
May you like
"Your brother.""
And suddenly, the room felt colder than it had a moment earlier.
