THEN MARRY HER, ETHAN—SHE’S ALREADY WEARING THE ENGAGEMENT RING I HELPED PAY FOR

I couldn't Behind the Ring

I couldn't stop thinking about Madison.

For stop thinking about Madison.

For three years, I had regarded her as the irritating but three years, I had regarded her as the irritating but ultimately harmless childhood friend who always seemed to need Ethan at the worst possible moments. She ultimately harmless childhood friend who always seemed to need Ethan at the worst possible moments. She called him late at night. She asked him to help with errands she called him late at night.

She asked him to help with errands she could have handled herself. She appeared at family dinners without invitations and sat beside him as though the could have handled herself. She appeared at family dinners without invitations and sat beside him as though the chair had been reserved for her since birth.

I had tolerated it because Ethan insisted that I chair had been reserved for her since birth.

I had tolerated it because Ethan insisted that I was being unreasonable.

Now I knew there had been something much larger happening behind my was being unreasonable.

Now I knew there had been something much larger happening behind my back.

Madison wasn't merely the woman Patricia wanted Ethan to choose instead of me.

She was the legal beneficiary of a back.

Madison wasn't merely the woman Patricia wanted Ethan to choose instead of me.

She was the legal beneficiary of a company Patricia had allegedly been trying to control.

And the diamond on her finger had been part of a plan designed to pressure me into signing away my family's future.

company Patricia had allegedly been trying to control.

And the diamond on her finger had been part of a plan designed to pressure me into signing away my family's future.

I sat in Daniel's conference room long after Ethan left.

My father had gone downstairsI sat in Daniel's conference room long after Ethan left.

My father had gone downstairs to take a call from the company's security team. Vivian was speaking with the estate trustee, and Daniel was reviewing the to take a call from the company's security team. Vivian was speaking with the estate trustee, and Daniel was reviewing the evidence Ethan had provided.

I stared at the empty chair where my former evidence Ethan had provided.

I stared at the empty chair where my former fiancé had been sitting.

"He knew," I whispered.

Daniel looked up.

"He knew enough to understand fiancé had been sitting.

"He knew," I whispered.

Daniel looked up.

"He knew enough to understand that you were expected to sign the documents after the wedding.""

"And he still went through with it.""

"Yes.""

"Do that you were expected to sign the documents after the wedding.""

"And he still went through with it.""

"Yes.""

"Do you think he ever intended to tell me the truth?""

Daniel considered the question.

"I can't know what he intended. But we have his admission you think he ever intended to tell me the truth?""

Daniel considered the question.

"I can't know what he intended. But we have his admission that he saw the transfer agreement and understood that your signature was expected. That matters more than any speculation about his that he saw the transfer agreement and understood that your signature was expected. That matters more than any speculation about his feelings.""

I nodded.

I had spent years trying to understand Ethan's feelings.

Perhaps it was time to concentrate on his decisions.

At feelings.""

I nodded.

I had spent years trying to understand Ethan's feelings.

Perhaps it was time to concentrate on his decisions.

At 3:30 p.m., Vivian returned to the conference room with a document from the estate trustee.

3:30 p.m., Vivian returned to the conference room with a document from the estate trustee.

"The trustee has confirmed that Madison Reed is the named beneficiary of the controlling interest in Whitmore Strategic Holdings," she said.

"However, the transfer has"The trustee has confirmed that Madison Reed is the named beneficiary of the controlling interest in Whitmore Strategic Holdings," she said.

"However, the transfer has not been completed because certain conditions remain outstanding.""

"What conditions?"" my father asked.

"An independent review of the holding company's debts, not been completed because certain conditions remain outstanding.""

"What conditions?"" my father asked.

"An independent review of the holding company's debts, confirmation that the trust's assets have not been improperly pledged, and delivery of the original investment agreement.""

Daniel confirmation that the trust's assets have not been improperly pledged, and delivery of the original investment agreement.""

Daniel leaned forward.

"And Patricia?""

"She remains the temporary manager under the existing arrangement. She has no unrestricted authority to transfer the controlling leaned forward.

"And Patricia?""

"She remains the temporary manager under the existing arrangement. She has no unrestricted authority to transfer the controlling interest.""

My father shook his head.

"Then why did she believe she could use Bennett as collateral interest.""

My father shook his head.

"Then why did she believe she could use Bennett as collateral?""

Vivian placed the document on the table.

"Because the proposed financing structure appears to have?""

Vivian placed the document on the table.

"Because the proposed financing structure appears to have been designed to give her additional time. If the lender accepted Bennett's guarantee and been designed to give her additional time. If the lender accepted Bennett's guarantee and the transfer proceeded, Whitmore Strategic Holdings could have obtained the funds needed to meet its immediate obligations.""

"At the transfer proceeded, Whitmore Strategic Holdings could have obtained the funds needed to meet its immediate obligations.""

"At our expense," I said.

"Potentially," Vivian replied.

"The precise flow of funds still needs to be our expense," I said.

"Potentially," Vivian replied.

"The precise flow of funds still needs to be established.""

Daniel pointed to a paragraph in the trust instrument.

"Does Madison know about established.""

Daniel pointed to a paragraph in the trust instrument.

"Does Madison know about the restrictions?""

"The trustee attempted to notify her last month, but the the restrictions?""

"The trustee attempted to notify her last month, but the letter was returned. She had changed addresses.""

"Convenient," my father muttered.

Vivian shook letter was returned. She had changed addresses.""

"Convenient," my father muttered.

Vivian shook her head.

"Not necessarily. The trustee hasn't established whether she deliberately avoided the correspondence her head.

"Not necessarily. The trustee hasn't established whether she deliberately avoided the correspondence.""

I looked at the documents.

"Can we contact her?""

"Yes," Vivian said.

"But I.""

I looked at the documents.

"Can we contact her?""

"Yes," Vivian said.

"But I recommend that we do so through the trustee or independent counsel. She may have information relevant to the investigation, and we don't recommend that we do so through the trustee or independent counsel. She may have information relevant to the investigation, and we don't want to compromise the evidence.""

I thought about Madison standing beneath the wedding arch.

The way she had held up my ring.

The way she had pretended embarrassment when I confronted want to compromise the evidence.""

I thought about Madison standing beneath the wedding arch.

The way she had held up my ring.

The way she had pretended embarrassment when I confronted her.

I remembered her saying, Nobody was trying to steal your wedding.

Now I wondered whether she had been her.

I remembered her saying, Nobody was trying to steal your wedding.

Now I wondered whether she had been trying to steal something much more valuable.

At 4:05 p.m., the trying to steal something much more valuable.

At 4:05 p.m., the trustee's attorney confirmed that Madison had agreed to attend a meeting the following morning.

She had also requested that Patricia not be present trustee's attorney confirmed that Madison had agreed to attend a meeting the following morning.

She had also requested that Patricia not be present.

That detail caught my attention.

"Why would she make that request?"" I asked.

Vivian.

That detail caught my attention.

"Why would she make that request?"" I asked.

Vivian looked thoughtful.

"Perhaps she wants to speak freely.""

"Or perhaps she already knows something.""

"Both looked thoughtful.

"Perhaps she wants to speak freely.""

"Or perhaps she already knows something.""

"Both are possible.""

My father checked his phone.

"The company has secured its systems. The forensic team has isolated the affected are possible.""

My father checked his phone.

"The company has secured its systems. The forensic team has isolated the affected accounts, and our bank has been notified that the guarantee is disputed. Daniel says we should avoid accounts, and our bank has been notified that the guarantee is disputed. Daniel says we should avoid making public statements until we know more.""

I nodded.

"What about the employees?""

"We're not making public statements until we know more.""

I nodded.

"What about the employees?""

"We're not announcing anything until we have a clearer picture of the company's exposure. I don't announcing anything until we have a clearer picture of the company's exposure. I don't want rumors to spread through the offices before we can give people accurate information.""

That evening want rumors to spread through the offices before we can give people accurate information.""

That evening, I returned to my parents' house with Rachel.

My wedding dress remained in the spare room, untouched.

I, I returned to my parents' house with Rachel.

My wedding dress remained in the spare room, untouched.

I went upstairs and stood in front of the garment bag.

For a moment, I considered taking the dress out and went upstairs and stood in front of the garment bag.

For a moment, I considered taking the dress out and putting it away properly. It had cost more than I had intended to spend, and I had imagined keeping putting it away properly. It had cost more than I had intended to spend, and I had imagined keeping it for years, perhaps showing it to my children someday.

But the thought made my throat tighten.

I couldn't it for years, perhaps showing it to my children someday.

But the thought made my throat tighten.

I couldn't look at it without remembering Ethan's smile.

I zipped the closet shut.

Then I went look at it without remembering Ethan's smile.

I zipped the closet shut.

Then I went downstairs.

My mother had prepared soup, and my father was sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of printed downstairs.

My mother had prepared soup, and my father was sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of printed financial statements.

He looked exhausted.

"How are you holding up?"" he asked.

I sat beside financial statements.

He looked exhausted.

"How are you holding up?"" he asked.

I sat beside him.

"I'm angry.""

"Good.""

I blink him.

"I'm angry.""

"Good.""

I blinked.

"Good?""

"Anger can be useful when it helps you recognize that something was wrong. Just don't let it make your decisions for you.""

ed.

"Good?""

"Anger can be useful when it helps you recognize that something was wrong. Just don't let it make your decisions for you.""

I smiled faintly.

"That's exactly what Daniel said.""

"Daniel charges byI smiled faintly.

"That's exactly what Daniel said.""

"Daniel charges by the hour. I give the advice for free.""

Rachel laughed from the stove.

For a few minutes, we the hour. I give the advice for free.""

Rachel laughed from the stove.

For a few minutes, we almost felt like a normal family again.

Then my phone rang.

Madison.

almost felt like a normal family again.

Then my phone rang.

Madison.

I stared at her name.

My father put down his pen.

"You don't have to answerI stared at her name.

My father put down his pen.

"You don't have to answer.""

"I know.""

I picked up.

"What do you want, Madison?""

Her voice was quiet.

"Claire, I need to talk to.""

"I know.""

I picked up.

"What do you want, Madison?""

Her voice was quiet.

"Claire, I need to talk to you.""

"Then talk.""

"I know you're angry with me.""

"That's you.""

"Then talk.""

"I know you're angry with me.""

"That's an understatement.""

She exhaled shakily.

"I didn't understand what Patricia was doing until an understatement.""

She exhaled shakily.

"I didn't understand what Patricia was doing until yesterday.""

I laughed without humor.

"You wore my engagement ring while my yesterday.""

I laughed without humor.

"You wore my engagement ring while my fiancé told two hundred people he might marry you instead. What exactly did you think was happening?""

"I fiancé told two hundred people he might marry you instead. What exactly did you think was happening?""

"I thought he was trying to make you jealous.""

"You thought humiliating me was harmless?""

"No."" Her thought he was trying to make you jealous.""

"You thought humiliating me was harmless?""

"No."" Her voice broke.

"I thought he was going to apologize afterward. Patricia told me that you and voice broke.

"I thought he was going to apologize afterward. Patricia told me that you and Ethan had been fighting about the wedding and that he needed to prove you still cared about him.""

Ethan had been fighting about the wedding and that he needed to prove you still cared about him.""

I stared at the wall.

"And you believed her?""

"I wanted to believe her.""

"Why?""

Madison was silent for aI stared at the wall.

"And you believed her?""

"I wanted to believe her.""

"Why?""

Madison was silent for a moment.

"Because Patricia told me she would help me understand Eleanor's estate. She said I was entitled to something moment.

"Because Patricia told me she would help me understand Eleanor's estate. She said I was entitled to something, but that the paperwork was complicated. She told me Ethan's marriage would resolve the outstanding, but that the paperwork was complicated. She told me Ethan's marriage would resolve the outstanding conditions.""

My father and Rachel exchanged a look.

I lowered conditions.""

My father and Rachel exchanged a look.

I lowered my voice.

"What did she tell you about the ring?""

"She said Ethan wanted me my voice.

"What did she tell you about the ring?""

"She said Ethan wanted me to wear it for a few minutes. She said it would make the situation look convincing to wear it for a few minutes. She said it would make the situation look convincing enough for you to react.""

"And you agreed.""

"Yes.""

The word was enough for you to react.""

"And you agreed.""

"Yes.""

The word was barely audible.

I closed my eyes.

There it was.

No misunderstanding.

No accidental appearance barely audible.

I closed my eyes.

There it was.

No misunderstanding.

No accidental appearance.

Madison had known that I would be hurt. She had agreed to participate anyway.

"Why didn't you refuse?""

Madison had known that I would be hurt. She had agreed to participate anyway.

"Why didn't you refuse?""

"Because I was afraid she'd cut me off.""

"From what?""

"My inheritance.""

I felt my stomach tighten.

"Your inheritance?""

"Eleanor was my godmother.Because I was afraid she'd cut me off.""

"From what?""

"My inheritance.""

I felt my stomach tighten.

"Your inheritance?""

"Eleanor was my godmother. She helped pay for my education when my mother couldn't afford it. After she died, Patricia told me that Eleanor She helped pay for my education when my mother couldn't afford it. After she died, Patricia told me that Eleanor had left certain assets for me, but I wouldn't receive them until the family arrangements were finalized.""

"And you believed her?""

had left certain assets for me, but I wouldn't receive them until the family arrangements were finalized.""

"And you believed her?""

"I didn't know what else to believe. Patricia handled everything. She showed me some documents,"I didn't know what else to believe.

Patricia handled everything. She showed me some documents, but she never let me keep copies.""

I remembered the name on Martin's note.

Madison Reed.

The but she never let me keep copies.""

I remembered the name on Martin's note.

Madison Reed.

The beneficiary.

"Did you know Patricia was trying to use Bennett Commercial Interiors as collateral?""

"No.""

" beneficiary.

"Did you know Patricia was trying to use Bennett Commercial Interiors as collateral?""

"No.""

"Did you know Ethan had submitted documents using my name?""

"No.""

"Did you know the wedding agreement wouldDid you know Ethan had submitted documents using my name?""

"No.""

"Did you know the wedding agreement would transfer control of my father's company?""

Madison began to cry.

"I didn't know about your father's company until yesterday. I swear.""

I looked transfer control of my father's company?""

Madison began to cry.

"I didn't know about your father's company until yesterday. I swear.""

I looked at my father.

He gestured for me to continue.

"Then why did you tell Ethan to at my father.

He gestured for me to continue.

"Then why did you tell Ethan to choose you?""

"I didn't tell him to choose me.""

"You stood beside him while he threatened to marry you.""

"I thought choose you?""

"I didn't tell him to choose me.""

"You stood beside him while he threatened to marry you.""

"I thought if you left, Patricia would finally explain what if you left, Patricia would finally explain what was happening with the estate. I thought she would stop treating me like a child who had to ask was happening with the estate. I thought she would stop treating me like a child who had to ask permission for everything.""

Her voice cracked.

"I didn't realize she was using me, too.""

I permission for everything.""

Her voice cracked.

"I didn't realize she was using me, too.""

I felt a strange mixture of anger and pity.

Madison had helped humiliate me.

But she might also have been manipulated by felt a strange mixture of anger and pity.

Madison had helped humiliate me.

But she might also have been manipulated by a woman who controlled her access to an inheritance.

Both things could be true.

"Why are a woman who controlled her access to an inheritance.

Both things could be true.

"Why are you calling me now?"" I asked.

"Because Patricia knows I spoke to the trustee.""

My father you calling me now?"" I asked.

"Because Patricia knows I spoke to the trustee.""

My father leaned forward.

"What did she do?""

I put the call on speaker.

Madison took a shaky breath.

"She came to my apartment this morning. She demanded that I sign a leaned forward.

"What did she do?""

I put the call on speaker.

Madison took a shaky breath.

"She came to my apartment this morning. She demanded that I sign a document confirming I had no independent claim to Eleanor's assets.""

Viv document confirming I had no independent claim to Eleanor's assets.""

Vivian had warned us that Patricia might try to obtain additional signatures.

I grian had warned us that Patricia might try to obtain additional signatures.

I gripped the phone.

"Did you sign it?""

"No.""

"Good.""

"Then she told me that if I didn't cooperate, sheipped the phone.

"Did you sign it?""

"No.""

"Good.""

"Then she told me that if I didn't cooperate, she would make sure everyone believed I had helped steal the money from the hotel project.""

My father muttered something under his breath.

Madison would make sure everyone believed I had helped steal the money from the hotel project.""

My father muttered something under his breath.

Madison continued.

"She said Ethan had already agreed to take responsibility for the guarantee, and if I wanted continued.

"She said Ethan had already agreed to take responsibility for the guarantee, and if I wanted to protect myself, I needed to sign the declaration before the trustee reviewed the records.""

I looked at Daniel's to protect myself, I needed to sign the declaration before the trustee reviewed the records.""

I looked at Daniel's notes on the table.

"Did she say anything else?""

Madison hesitated.

"She said there notes on the table.

"Did she say anything else?""

Madison hesitated.

"She said there was a second set of documents. She said if the trustee found them, the entire was a second set of documents. She said if the trustee found them, the entire family would lose everything.""

"What documents?""

"I don't know. But she mentioned a family would lose everything.""

"What documents?""

"I don't know. But she mentioned a safe in Eleanor's old study.""

Vivian, who had joined us safe in Eleanor's old study.""

Vivian, who had joined us on a video call to discuss the next day's meeting, immediately spoke.

"The Lake Forest estate?""

"Yes," Madison replied.

on a video call to discuss the next day's meeting, immediately spoke.