Chapter 4
Daniel saw the folder before he saw Megan’s face.
That was how she knew he recognized danger.
His eyes dropped to the brown cover, then immediately lifted again.
Too fast.
A guilty glance disguised as annoyance.
“What is that?” he demanded.
Megan stopped beside the open SUV hatch.
Her suitcase was still inside, half-zipped.
The wedding bracelet on her wrist suddenly felt heavier than the folder.
Around them, the relatives shifted closer without admitting they were doing it.
Ava wiped her cheeks.
Her crying had gone quieter now.
That was another detail Megan noticed.
Ava had expected Daniel’s anger.
She had not expected papers.
Daniel stepped toward Megan with one hand raised.
“Do not bring private business into this.”
Megan looked at the patio.
“At a family barbecue where you just told me to leave in front of everyone?”
His jaw tightened.
“You made Ava feel unsafe.”
Ava flinched at her own name.
Megan turned to her.
“Did I?”
Ava looked away.
Daniel snapped, “Don’t interrogate her.”
Megan faced him again.
“I asked one question.”
“She’s sixteen.”
“And old enough to know the difference between an accident and a lie.”
Ava’s lips parted.
No defense came.
Daniel moved closer.
“Apologize.”
Megan’s voice softened, but not for him.
“I am sorry your phone fell. I am sorry the cooler slipped. I am sorry you were embarrassed.”
Ava’s eyes filled again, this time differently.
Megan continued, “But I will not apologize for words I never said.”
Daniel’s nostrils flared.
“You always make yourself the victim.”
Megan looked at the folder.
“No. I made myself prepared.”
That sentence changed the air.
The lake moved behind them, wind touching the trees. Somewhere near the barbecue, a spatula clattered against metal because one of the cousins set it down too hard.
Daniel reached for the folder.
Megan pulled it back.
“Don’t.”
His hand froze.
The relatives saw.
Daniel saw them seeing.
That made him angrier.
“What did you put in that folder?”
Megan opened it just slightly.
Enough to reveal official seals, copied signatures, property descriptions, and tabs.
Not enough for anyone to read.
Not enough to resolve the truth.
May you like
Enough to make Daniel pale.
Read Chapter 5 👉 Because Daniel had expected Megan to defend her feelings, not produce documents he thought were hidden.
