CHAPTER 9: The Sentence Vivian Could Not Interrupt

Aaron's recorded statement did not sound dramatic.
That made it worse for Vivian. Drama could be dismissed. A calm man reading dates and account numbers could not.
'On June tenth,' Aaron said from the tablet, 'I discovered unauthorized transfers from Graydon Custom Homes into an account controlled by Lucas Graydon. On June twelfth, I confronted my mother. On June fifteenth, she told me Maya would be blamed for the missing reserve funds if I did not sign over my shares.'
Lucas whispered, 'Mom.'
Vivian's face hardened. 'Turn that off.'
Reyes did not move.
Aaron continued. 'I did not sign. I changed the company succession documents. I placed all evidence in three locations. One is with my attorney. One is with the county clerk. One is in the suitcase Maya was told to keep.'
Maya closed her eyes for one second. Hearing him hurt. Not because he was accusing them, but because he had been afraid alone and still found time to protect her.
The final line of that section was quieter.
'My wife is not to be treated as a trespasser in the home we built together.'
The rain seemed to stop listening.