Chapter 9
Preston’s financial problems were worse than Audrey knew.
His private consulting company depended on Moretti-connected contracts for almost seventy percent of its annual revenue.
Without Audrey, several relationships had no reason to continue.
Three clients confirmed they had tolerated Preston largely because they believed Rocco considered him family.
Preston had built a business around a marriage he was losing.
Then auditors found unusual payments between Preston’s company and a firm controlled by Brenda.
Not theft from Rocco.
Something more ordinary.
Preston had been transferring money to cover Brenda’s failing luxury-event business.
Brenda depended on him.
He depended on Audrey.
Audrey depended increasingly on neither.
That created pressure.
But Rocco still resisted reducing everything to money.
Money explained why Preston feared divorce.
It did not fully explain why a husband would risk his pregnant wife’s life.
Then Audrey’s divorce attorney produced an email she had sent three days before the first fall.
It was addressed only to the attorney.
Subject:
AFTER DELIVERY PLAN.
Audrey wrote that she intended to move permanently to a separate residence before the baby’s birth if possible, or immediately afterward if medical advice made moving unsafe.
She wanted communication with Preston routed through attorneys.
She wanted every Moretti-related business introduction withdrawn.
She wanted a parenting plan negotiated formally.
Preston should never have seen that email.
But someone had logged into Audrey’s laptop that night.
The login came from their townhouse.
Audrey had been asleep.
Preston knew not just that she wanted to leave.
He knew the entire structure of her exit.
Rocco read the email.
Then one sentence again:
After the baby arrives, there will be no reason for me to keep pretending this marriage can be repaired.
Suddenly Brenda’s words at the reception sounded less random.
May you like
That baby cannot be born.
The baby represented the deadline after which Audrey had promised herself she would never go back.
