Chapter 14 - The Proposal Recording
Serena had recorded the conversation because she never fully trusted Grant.
On the audio, Grant sounded confident.
“Once we’re married, she’ll eventually add me to the deed.”
Serena asked, “And if she doesn’t?”
“I’ll make her believe the house is costing us everything.”
“What if Margaret protected it in a trust?”
“Then I’ll get Claire to break the trust herself.”
“And the engagement?”
Grant laughed.
“A ring is cheaper than buying lakefront access.”
Claire sat inside the prosecutor’s office while the recording played.
She remembered Grant proposing on the dock.
Candles had floated across the water.
Her favorite song had played from hidden speakers.
He had held her grandmother’s ring.
Claire once believed he had created that night because he understood her.
Now she understood that he had studied her.
He knew exactly which memories to use.
The prosecutor paused the audio.
“You don’t have to testify about the relationship if it becomes too painful.”
“Yes, I do.”
Grant’s defense attorney argued that the recording was old, bitter and taken out of context.
He claimed Grant had fallen in love with Claire after approaching her for business reasons.
But the messages continued through the marriage.
Every anniversary included an update on Claire’s willingness to sell.
Every major argument was summarized for Serena.
When Margaret’s trust restrictions blocked a legitimate transfer, Grant began planning the forged deed.
The divorce petition was drafted months before Claire knew anything was wrong.
The violence at breakfast was not a sudden loss of control.
It was the final step of a long campaign.
Grant had expected fear to accomplish what romance could not.
But his plan contained one weakness.
He had lied to too many people.
The former employee who created Claire’s profile agreed to testify.
The bank admitted it had ignored warning signs.
The expired notary seal led directly to Serena.
Robert produced the earlier forgery.
Evelyn confirmed Claire’s alibi.
And Claire had the recording from inside the lake house.
The trial date was scheduled.
Before it began, Grant sent Claire a message through his attorney.
May you like
He offered to plead guilty to the property charges if she withdrew the assault complaint.
👉 Grant still believed Claire would protect his reputation—but she was finally ready to describe every lie in open court.
