Chapter 7: The Confrontation
Eric came to the hospital that afternoon.
He looked tired but still put-together, the way he always did when he wanted to appear reasonable. He carried a small bag with some of Maya’s clothes and a folder of papers.
“I spoke with the doctor,” he said, sitting beside the bed. “He said you should be discharged in a few days if everything stays stable. I think it’s best if you come home with me. Mom can help with the baby once Lily is released.”
Maya looked at him without speaking.
Eric shifted in the chair. “I know things got heated at the shower. But we can move past this. For Lily’s sake.”
“For Lily’s sake,” Maya repeated softly.
“Yes.” He leaned forward. “I already moved the rest of the money into a safer account. Mom needed help, and I didn’t want you stressing about finances while you’re recovering. You should be grateful I handled it.”
Maya reached for her phone. She opened the folder she had been building and turned the screen toward him.
Eric’s eyes moved across the first few screenshots — the transfers, the dates, the amounts. His face changed.
“What is this?”
“This is me handling it,” Maya said. Her voice was calm, almost gentle. “This is me tracing every dollar you and your mother took while I was pregnant. This is me documenting how you lied to my face and stole from our daughter before she was even born.”
Eric’s jaw tightened. “You’re being paranoid. Those are normal transfers—”
“No,” Maya cut him off. “They’re not. And I have more. Much more.”
She set the phone down and looked at him directly.
“I’m not coming home with you, Eric. I’m not letting you near Lily until I know exactly what you and Diane have done. And I’m not going to let either of you take anything else from us.”
Eric stared at her for a long moment. The charming mask he usually wore had slipped completely.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said quietly.
Maya didn’t look away.
“I already made the mistake,” she answered. “I made it the day I trusted you with our daughter’s future. I won’t make it again.”
Eric stood up. For a second it looked like he might say something else, but then he turned and walked out of the room without another word.
Maya watched the door close behind him.
May you like
Then she picked up her phone and sent one short message to Rachel.
He knows I’m tracing. It’s starting.
