The Call That Destroyed My Father Chapter 08
She lifted her tearful eyes to me.
“Is Mason really Richard’s son?”
Serena’s tears stopped instantly.
A flash of panic crossed her eyes.
“Of course he is. What are you talking about?”
“Really?” I smiled. “Then we’ll wait for the DNA test in the paternity case. Everything will be clear
then.”
Serena’s face went completely white.
She turned and left.
That night, my mother came back from the family law firm with a smile on her face.
“Mark has already turned the materials over to the Briarwood Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office. Detectives opened a case for theft, fraud, and felony embezzlement.”
She set her briefcase on the table.
“Once the warrant comes through, Richard will be taken into custody.”
I looked at my mother.
“Mom, how much else have you hidden from me?”
My mother sat down and poured herself a glass of water.
“Claire, I regret giving up my career for this family more than anything.”
She took a sip.
“But I don’t regret marrying Richard. I only regret letting my whole life shrink down to a kitchen.”
I held my mother’s hand.
“Mom, you’re the strongest woman I know.”
My mother smiled, but her eyes turned red.
“Silly girl. I’m not that strong,” she said softly. “I just don’t want you to think betrayal means a
woman has to swallow it and stay quiet.”
The next day, my father was arrested at the company.
The news spread fast.
Mark called my mother immediately.
“Diane, Richard was arrested. His attorney is already asking about a plea, and the detectives found more bank records.”
My mother gave a quiet hum.
“That house is in Serena’s name, but the down payment and mortgage payments all came from the company account. Mark, I’ve already organized that evidence.”
“Don’t worry, Diane. Serena won’t walk away clean. She’s looking at money laundering, conspiracy, and receiving stolen funds.”
After she hung up, my mother let out a long breath.
“Come on, Claire. Come with me to Southridge.”
“Southridge? To see Serena?”
“No.” My mother picked up her bag. “To the county detention center. Richard’s attorney is bringing the divorce settlement in. I want to watch him sign it with my own eyes.”
At Briarwood County Detention Center, my father’s eyes reddened the moment he saw my
mother.
“Diane, I was wrong. Talk to Mark for me. Tell them to stop cooperating with prosecutors, okay? I don’t want to go to prison.”
My mother sat across from him behind the glass.
Richard’s attorney stood beside him, holding the prepared settlement papers.
“Richard, I’ve prepared the divorce settlement. Sign it. Give up your claim to the house, savings, cars, and the hidden marital assets. The portion you moved will be deducted from the property in your name as restitution.”
“You can refuse to sign. But with $2,500,000 in company funds and the fake invoices, you’re facing serious felony exposure. Sentencing isn’t up to me, but prison time is unavoidable. And while
you’re in prison, I can continue the divorce case.’
Tears ran down my father’s face.
“Diane, you can’t be this heartless. We were married for 30 years.”
“Heartless?” My mother smiled. “Richard, when you were holding another woman in The Marlowe Grand Resort’s family suite and buying her a $3,500 necklace, did you think about our 30-year marriage?”
My father opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.
“Sign it.” My mother looked at him. “Your attorney is here, and the jail notary will notarize it. You have no room to negotiate.”
My father signed the agreement.
I looked at the crying man in front of me and felt no sympathy at all.
After he signed, he lifted his head.
“Diane, can you let me see Mason? He’s my son.”
