CHAPTER 9: THE OTHER CHILD
Two days later, Camille asked to speak with me. Helena suggested a neutral location and offered to attend. We met at a quiet office rather than a café. Camille arrived without the little boy. She looked younger than she had beneath the ballroom lights, and far less certain. “His name is Oliver,” she said. “He just turned three.” I told her I hoped he was well. She blinked, apparently expecting an attack. Then she admitted Grant had told her I knew about their relationship and that our divorce was already settled. He had also told her the house was his and that June’s trust could be combined with Oliver’s future inheritance once certain documents were signed. “He said you were being difficult about money,” Camille whispered. “He said you didn’t want June to have a brother.” I felt anger rise, but it was directed where it belonged. “Did you see the documents?” I asked. She nodded. Grant had shown her a schedule of projected trust distributions. She had photographs on her phone. Helena requested copies and explained that she might later need to provide a formal statement. Camille hesitated. “His mother said the boy would finally give the family a proper heir.” “Children aren’t prizes,” I said. Camille stared at the table. She admitted that Grant had encouraged her to bring Oliver to the party because he believed the public announcement would pressure me into signing quickly. I asked whether she had known he intended to hand me divorce papers in front of June. She shook her head. I could not verify every claim that day. But for the first time I saw the possibility of another child who needed protection from Grant’s plans.
