I looked up.
“He was going to take her from me.”
Hayes nodded slightly.
“That was apparently his intention.”
For the first time since this began, I felt something stronger than fear.
Anger.
Not wild anger.
Not the kind Adrian had tried to provoke.
Something colder.
Steadier.
I folded the paper.
“Then I want to fight every part of this.”
The next few months changed my life.
I filed for divorce.
My attorney sought protective custody arrangements that would keep Maya safe while the criminal proceedings continued.
Our family finances were examined, and the court required disclosure of assets and debts.
Adrian’s carefully maintained public image collapsed as the investigation became known.
The charitable committees he’d once chaired distanced themselves.
His employer placed him on leave before terminating his employment.
Several former business associates came forward with allegations about financial misconduct.
But none of that gave me satisfaction.
Not really.
