Part 2

Daniel did not leave within thirty minutes.

He decided to call my bluff.

“You’re unstable,” he said while pacing my living room as Vanessa filmed me on her phone. “Everyone will understand. You just had a baby.”

“Say that again,” I replied calmly.

His eyes narrowed. “You’re unstable.”

Vanessa moved the phone closer.

I smiled.

The following morning, Daniel’s office received notice that he had been removed as acting CEO pending internal audit. By noon, his access card stopped functioning. By two o’clock, his bank called regarding frozen corporate accounts.

By five, he was pounding on my front door.

I watched him through the security camera while nursing our daughter.

“Mara!” he shouted. “Open the damn door!”

Vanessa stood behind him wearing sunglasses too oversized for her face.

“You crazy witch!” she screamed. “You ruined his company!”

I pressed the intercom button.

“No,” I said. “I protected mine.”

Silence.

Daniel leaned closer toward the camera. “What are you talking about?”

I adjusted the blanket over my daughter.

“The company was never yours. My father financed the acquisition. I retained controlling interest through the Beaumont Family Trust. You were appointed because I trusted you.”

His mouth opened slightly, then shut again.

Vanessa turned pale beneath her makeup.

“And Daniel?” I added. “You billed luxury travel, jewelry purchases, and hotel stays as client development expenses. Vanessa approved false invoices. Both of you used company funds during my maternity leave.”