Chapter 16 - ETHAN’S CHOICE
Ethan requested a meeting with prosecutors.
He offered access to financial records Vivian had kept hidden for years.
In exchange, he wanted consideration for cooperation.
Maya was not required to attend, but she chose to hear his statement from behind a glass partition.
Ethan admitted that he approached her because of Claire’s ownership interest.
He admitted that he knew about the first unauthorized transfer.
He claimed Vivian promised it would be repaid before Maya noticed.
Then he described the dress.
“I didn’t know she would destroy it until the night before,” he said.
The prosecutor played the recording from Maya’s purse.
Maya asked him directly whether he knew.
Ethan had answered:
My mother is trying to save this wedding.
“You had a chance to tell Maya,” the prosecutor said.
“I was afraid everything would collapse.”
“So you chose the estate.”
Ethan lowered his head.
“Yes.”
He then surrendered an audio recording made two months before the wedding.
Vivian discussed forging Maya’s medical evaluation.
Ethan objected.
Vivian threatened to expose his gambling debts and remove him from the family company.
But by the end of the conversation, Ethan agreed to remain silent.
His fear explained his choices.
It did not excuse them.
When the meeting ended, Ethan asked to speak to Maya.
She agreed to five minutes with Nora present.
“I did love you,” he said.
Maya looked at the man she once planned to marry.
“Maybe you did.”
“I know that doesn’t change anything.”
“No.”
“I should have walked away from my mother.”
“You should have told the truth before asking me to trust you.”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“I’m sorry about the dress.”
Maya touched the repaired strip of Claire’s lace inside her handbag.
“The dress can be restored.”
She stood.
“What you helped destroy cannot.”
Ethan accepted a plea agreement involving fraud, conspiracy, and attempted coercion.
His cooperation reduced his sentence.
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It did not erase it.
👉 Ethan finally admitted the truth, but Vivian still refused to accept responsibility—even when her own son prepared to testify against her.
