Chapter 13 - The Missing Millions
The answer came from Ethan himself.
He requested a meeting.
Maya agreed.
They met in a quiet conference room.
Ethan looked exhausted.
“I owe you the truth.”
“You do.”
He placed a folder on the table.
“I didn't spend all the money.”
Maya opened it.
Inside were investment records.
The missing millions had been placed into a private account.
Not for Ethan.
Not for Evelyn.
For Chloe.
Maya stared at him.
“Why?”
“She was being threatened by someone.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
Maya looked up.
Ethan rubbed his face.
“That's the part I couldn't explain.”
He told her everything.
Months earlier, Chloe had received anonymous threats.
Someone knew about the family's financial problems.
They demanded money.
Ethan began moving funds to protect her.
But then he realized the easiest source of money was Maya.
His mistake became a scheme.
The scheme became fraud.
And eventually, he convinced himself he could take enough from Maya to solve everything.
Maya listened.
When he finished, she asked one question.
“Did you ever intend to tell me?”
Ethan looked down.
“No.”
That answer hurt more than everything else.
Because it meant his intentions didn't matter.
He had made his choice.
Maya closed the folder.
“I understand why you did it.”
Ethan looked up hopefully.
“But understanding isn't forgiveness.”
His face fell.
“I know.”
Maya stood.
“You will repay what you can.”
“I will.”
“You will cooperate with the investigation.”
“Yes.”
“And you will never contact me outside the legal process.”
Ethan nodded.
She walked toward the door.
“Maya?”
She stopped.
“I really did love you.”
She didn't turn around.
May you like
“I know.”
Then she left.
