He wanted reduced financial obligations because Vanessa’s pregnancy, as he repeatedly explained, meant he would soon have “another household to support.”
When my attorney included the international relocation provision, Daniel signed it after barely glancing at the page.
“You always wanted primary custody,” he said. “Take them wherever you want.”
I never forgot the way Emily’s face changed when she overheard him say that.
PART 3 — THE ENVELOPE WITH MY NAME ON IT
The photograph on my phone turned the airport lights into a blur.
For several seconds, I forgot about London.
Forgot about Daniel.
Forgot even that Emily and Grace were sitting beside me.
All I could see was that envelope.
Claire Bennett Whitmore.
My name.
January 23.
Weeks before I discovered Daniel and Vanessa.
“Mom?”
Emily’s voice pulled me back.
I locked the screen.
“Everything’s fine.”
She gave me the look only a twelve-year-old could give a parent who had just told an obvious lie.
