Chapter 7 - Richard’s Version of Family
Richard asked to meet.
I declined twice.
On the third request, I agreed.
Melissa came.
Richard disliked that.
Good.
We met in a conference room.
He looked older than he had at the airport.
“Rachel.”
“Richard.”
“I want to fix this.”
“You can’t.”
“I mean the family.”
“Which one?”
He frowned.
I continued.
“The family that included me for twelve years?”
“Or the one flying to Maui with my replacement?”
He lowered his eyes.
“I handled that badly.”
Another man who “handled” betrayal.
Melissa almost smiled.
Richard continued.
“Daniel told me you two were finished.”
“Did he tell you I knew?”
“Yes.”
“Did you believe him?”
“I wanted to.”
The phrase appeared everywhere.
People believe lies more easily when lies make their choices comfortable.
“Why did you advise him to wait until after the refinance?”
Richard looked at Melissa.
“Is this being recorded?”
Melissa answered:
“Not without your consent.”
He relaxed slightly.
Then:
“The surgical center was a good investment.”
“So you were willing to use my premarital property to fund it?”
“I thought Daniel had discussed it with you.”
“Lauren says you told him to delay divorce until after I signed.”
Richard’s face changed.
“That is not exactly what I said.”
“What exactly did you say?”
He became quiet.
Finally:
“I told him not to blow up a financial transaction because of emotional timing.”
I stared.
“My marriage was emotional timing?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Yes, you did.”
Richard looked genuinely ashamed.
But shame did not undo decisions.
Then he said:
“I’ll withdraw from Bennett-Mercer.”
“Good.”
“And I’ll return any money connected to the Maui booking.”
“Good.”
“What else do you want?”
“Nothing.”
He seemed surprised.
“I don’t need compensation for betrayal.”
“I need clean separation.”
He swallowed.
“Will you cut off Emma and Noah?”
“No.”
His eyes filled.
That was the first time I saw real emotion from him.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me.”
“They are not responsible for what you and Daniel did.”
Richard nodded.
Then hesitated.
“Rachel…”
“What?”
“Daniel has another problem.”
I looked at Melissa.
Then back at him.
“What problem?”
“He borrowed money from Emma’s education trust.”
My stomach dropped.
“How much?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
“For what?”
May you like
Richard looked away.
“The surgical center deposit.”
