Chapter 13 - THE WIFE HE THOUGHT HE STILL OWNED
The meeting took place inside a federal interview facility.
Dominic believed it was a private attorney-assisted negotiation.
Clara wore a microphone beneath her maternity blouse.
Agents monitored the room from behind reinforced glass.
Victoria remained outside.
When Dominic entered, his eyes moved immediately to Clara’s stomach.
“How is my daughter?”
“She’s safe.”
“I should be receiving medical updates.”
“You forged medical reports about me.”
“I made preparations in case your mother turned you against me.”
Clara lowered her eyes, pretending uncertainty.
Dominic relaxed.
He had always mistaken quietness for surrender.
She placed the unsigned land authorization on the table.
“I’ll consider signing.”
His fingers moved toward it.
Clara pulled it back.
“First, I need the truth about my father.”
Dominic leaned into his chair.
“Pike is lying.”
“Did you know your father caused the crash?”
Dominic said nothing.
“Did you know before you married me?”
“You don’t understand how business works.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I knew there had been an incident.”
Clara’s heart pounded beneath the microphone.
“What kind of incident?”
“My father sent a truck to stop Thomas from delivering stolen company records.”
“They weren’t stolen. They proved your family poisoned the reservoir.”
“Thomas should have accepted the settlement.”
“He died asking Pike to call my mother.”
Dominic looked irritated rather than ashamed.
“That wasn’t my decision.”
“But hiding it was.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“I protected everyone. The company employed half the county. Your father was willing to destroy thousands of families over contaminated soil that could have been contained.”
“Was it contained?”
His silence answered her.
Clara pushed the authorization closer.
“And the police?”
“They understood stability.”
“You paid them.”
“I rewarded loyalty.”
“Did you order Pike to bring me back from my mother’s house?”
Dominic smiled.
“I ordered him to prevent a confused pregnant woman from ruining her marriage.”
“And when you hit me?”
“You forced a crisis.”
Clara stood.
Dominic’s hand shot across the table and closed around her wrist.
Agents moved toward the door.
Clara did not pull away.
“Say it clearly,” she whispered. “What did I force you to do?”
Dominic stared into her eyes.
“You forced me to hurt you because you wouldn’t obey.”
The door opened.
Federal agents entered.
Dominic released her.
Victoria stepped into view behind them.
Dominic looked from the microphone wire beneath Clara’s collar to the recording light above the door.
May you like
The confidence drained from his face.
👉 Dominic had finally confessed to controlling Clara—but the most damaging evidence was still hidden inside the land authorization he had been desperate for her to sign.
