The Child David Never Mentioned
Chapter 08 - The Child David Never Mentioned
Melissa had a son.
His name was Ryan.
He was six years old.
Anna felt sick.
"Is David his father?"
"I don't know."
"What does that mean?"
Melissa admitted she had been dating someone else shortly before the affair.
She never had a DNA test.
When she told David she was pregnant, he panicked.
He gave her money.
Then told her to leave.
Melissa left because she believed Anna knew.
She raised Ryan alone.
David never contacted her again.
Anna didn't know what to feel.
Anger.
Pity.
Fear.
The next morning, she told Rachel.
Rachel advised caution.
"Don't contact the child."
"I wouldn't."
"But David needs to know."
"He does know."
"That there may be a child."
Anna nodded.
"And he ignored him."
Rachel sighed.
"This divorce is going to become complicated."
Anna looked around the kitchen.
"It already is."
Then something unexpected happened.
David called.
He didn't ask to come home.
He didn't apologize.
He said:
"Anna, the bank froze everything."
The forged property transfer had triggered an investigation.
Mitchell Construction's accounts were under review.
Robert Ellis, the accountant, had disappeared.
Worse, several investors were threatening lawsuits.
David needed Anna to help.
She almost laughed.
"Help how?"
"Tell the bank you authorized the deed."
"No."
"Anna, people will lose their jobs."
"Don't do that."
"What?"
"Don't put your choices on employees."
David's voice cracked.
"Please."
For fourteen years, that word had always worked.
Not anymore.
"No."
She hung up.
Ten minutes later, Caroline called.
"I think I know where Robert Ellis went."
Anna frowned.
"Why are you helping?"
Caroline was quiet.
"Because I was part of this."
"You were sleeping with my husband."
"I know."
Anna waited.
Caroline continued.
"And I can't undo that."
Her voice shook.
"But maybe I can stop helping him destroy everyone else."
Robert Ellis had a second office.
One David didn't know Caroline knew about.
Inside were files.
May you like
Dozens.
And one file with Anna's name.
