That does not justify freezing family business.”
David’s expression changed.
“Family business?”
Catherine realized too late what she had said.
Victoria jumped in.
“She means my boutique.”
“No,” I said quietly.
“She means the money.”
Catherine’s eyes hardened.
“You have no idea how this family manages its assets.”
“The twins’ trust isn’t your asset.”
“You married into this family.”
“And the account is legally protected for our children.”
Her nostrils flared.
There it was again—the same belief beneath every insult she had made since my wedding.
That I was temporary.
That David’s money belonged first to the family he came from and only afterward to the family he created.
Catherine looked at her son.
“David, end this.”
He said nothing.
She softened her tone.
“Your sister made a mistake.
She’s under enormous pressure with the boutique.
We can handle this privately.”
“Did you give her information about the trust?” he asked.
Catherine hesitated.
Victoria looked at the floor.
David repeated the question.
“Did you tell her about the one hundred fifty thousand dollars?”
“I may have mentioned it.”
“Did you help prepare the withdrawal papers?”
“No.”
The answer came too fast.
I lifted the form again.
“Victoria said David had promised her the money.”
Catherine’s eyes flashed toward her daughter.
Victoria immediately said, “Because that’s what Mom told me.”
Catherine went white.
“Victoria.”
The single word carried a warning.
But panic had already broken whatever agreement they had made.
“You said he’d never deny family money once it was done,” Victoria blurted.
“You said she would sign because she wouldn’t risk upsetting him while pregnant.”
Catherine stared at her.
“Stop talking.”
David’s voice was almost a whisper.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
“You told her my wife would sign.”
“I was trying to help your sister.”
“With money meant for my children?”
Catherine’s composure finally cracked.
“It was temporary! Victoria needed capital.
The money was just sitting there.”
My entire body went cold.
Just sitting there.
