But as soon as he said it, pieces started falling into place. Freya’s sudden confidence after the baby was born. Her eagerness to get rid of me.
Her absolute certainty that she could treat my son like a meal ticket without consequences. How long would an investigation take? I asked.
Depends what we find. Could be a week, could be a month. My retainer is 1,500.
I wrote the check from my secret account, the one Freya didn’t know existed. I want to know everything. Where the money’s coming from, what she’s planning, everything.
Marcus tucked the check into his desk drawer. Mrs. Murphy, can I give you some advice?
I nodded. Whatever we find, it’s probably going to hurt. Information like this usually does.
Are you prepared for that? I thought about the last two months. The loneliness, the humiliation, the gradual realization that my son had chosen his wife’s version of reality over his own mother’s love.
Mr. Henderson, I’ve already been hurt. Now I want the truth.
The waiting was torture. For 2 weeks, I heard nothing from Marcus. I went about my routine. Grocery shopping, library visits, long walks around my neighborhood, but my mind was always on the investigation.
Then he called, “Mrs. Murphy, we need to meet and you might want to sit down for this conversation.” His office felt smaller this time, claustrophobic.
Marcus had a thick folder on his desk, and his expression was grimmer than before. “I’m going to be direct,” he said without preamble. “Your daughter-in-law is having an affair.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, even though part of me had suspected. With who? Richard Castellano.
He owns three car dealerships in the area. Married, two kids worth about $8 million. $8 million. No wonder Freya could afford Chanel bags.
How long? I whispered. Based on what I can document, at least 6 months, but probably longer.
He slid a photograph across the desk. This was taken last Tuesday at the Riverside Hotel. I stared at the image of Freya in the arms of a man I didn’t recognize.
She was laughing, her head thrown back in pure joy. I hadn’t seen her look that happy once during her marriage to my son. There’s more, Marcus continued.
She’s been telling people she’s planning to leave your son as soon as she can secure a substantial settlement. She’s using the baby as leverage. My grandson, my beautiful, innocent grandson was being used as a pawn in Freya’s game.
What kind of settlement? According to our sources, she’s been documenting everything your son owns, trying to figure out his net worth. She thinks he has family money hidden somewhere.
I almost laughed at the irony. Freya was looking for hidden family money, never suspecting that the woman she’d thrown out like garbage was sitting on $2 million. She’s also been telling people that your son is emotionally abusive, that she’s afraid to leave because he might try to take the baby.
The accusation was so outrageous, so completely opposite to Brent’s gentle nature that I felt sick. That’s impossible. Brent wouldn’t hurt a fly.
I know, but she’s building a narrative. If she files for divorce, claiming abuse, she gets sympathy, a bigger settlement, and probably full custody. Full custody.