Chapter 8 - The Edited Truth.
The emergency hearing was scheduled for the following morning.
Dominic moved faster than Claire expected because he had prepared the paperwork before she ever walked through the kitchen door.
Rachel spent the day organizing bank records, security footage, text messages, and the forged voting proxy.
Claire spent the day trying to make Leo feel like a five-year-old again.
They colored pictures in the hotel restaurant.
They built a crooked tower from sugar packets.
Leo laughed once when Mia knocked it over.
The sound nearly broke Claire because she realized how long it had been since she had heard him laugh without immediately checking the room.
That evening, Dominic's attorney sent Rachel the evidence packet supporting his petition.
Claire sat beside her and opened it.
The first exhibit was the airport photograph with Daniel.
The second was the fake physician's letter.
The third was a security video from the kitchen.
Claire pressed play.
The clip began after she entered.
It did not show Leo being locked in the pantry.
It did not show Dominic grabbing him.
It did not show Sienna taunting him.
It began with Claire shouting.
Then it jumped directly to her call with Rachel.
"Freeze all company assets immediately."
The next cut showed Dominic stepping forward while Claire warned him about the cameras.
Another cut showed her leaving with both children.
Viewed without context, it made Claire look cold, furious, and calculating.
"They edited it," she said.
"Yes."
"We have the original."
"We do."
Rachel did not sound relieved.
Claire noticed.
"What else?"
Rachel opened the final document.
Dominic claimed Leo had injured himself during an ordinary tantrum and that Claire had coached him afterward.
He also claimed Claire frequently stayed away from home for work and had recently become obsessed with conspiracies involving company finances.
Claire felt rage rise in her chest.
"He stole almost two million dollars."
"And until the court reviews the financial records, he will call it an authorized transfer."
"This is insane."
"It is calculated."
Rachel closed the file.
"That makes it more dangerous."
At 9:17 p.m., Claire received a call from an unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
Then she answered.
"Claire?"
It was Sienna.
Claire stood and walked into the bathroom so Leo would not hear.
"Why are you calling me?"
Sienna was crying.
"Because Dominic told me what he's doing tomorrow."
"You were part of it."
"Not all of it."
Claire laughed without humor.
"You were in my house, wearing my robe, laughing at my son."
"I know."
"Then don't call me asking for forgiveness."
"I'm not."
Sienna took a shaky breath.
"I'm calling because he lied to me too."
Claire almost hung up.
Then Sienna said something that stopped her.
"He told me you knew about us."
Claire stared at the bathroom mirror.
"What?"
"He said your marriage was over privately, but you wanted to keep appearances for the company."
"And you believed him?"
"At first."
Claire's voice became flat.
"What changed?"
Sienna was silent for several seconds.
"Leo."
Claire gripped the phone tighter.
"What about Leo?"
"Dominic told me to upset him on purpose before you came home."
Claire closed her eyes.
"Do you have proof?"
May you like
Sienna whispered her answer.
"I have every message."
