Chapter 5: The Woman Who Had Been Waiting for My Wife to Die
Rebecca didn't answer another question until she had made sure Devin and Maya were settled upstairs.
She closed the living room door and returned to the dining table with a folder.
"Andre, I need you to understand something before I show you these documents.""
I sat down.
"Go ahead.""
"Celeste didn't meet you by accident.""
The room seemed to shrink.
"What are you saying?""
"She knew who you were before you met her.""
Rebecca opened the folder.
Inside were several printed emails, a photograph, and a business card from an old financial consulting company.
"Rachel discovered Celeste had been accessing private client information at her former workplace," Rebecca explained.
"When Rachel reported her, Celeste was dismissed.""
"How does that connect to me?""
"Celeste had been looking for wealthy clients and potential investors. Your company was one of the businesses she researched.""
I stared at her.
"She approached me at the charity fundraiser.""
"I know.""
"She told me she was there with a friend.""
Rebecca shook her head.
"Her former employer sponsored that event. She had access to the guest list.""
I remembered the night vividly.
Celeste had been wearing a navy dress. She'd complimented my speech, asked about my construction business, and somehow remembered Maya's name before I had even introduced her.
At the time, I'd considered it charming.
Now it made my skin crawl.
"Did Rachel know she was approaching me?""
"She suspected it.""
Rebecca handed me an email.
It was dated four months before Rachel died.
The sender was Rachel.
The recipient was a former colleague.
I saw Celeste Morgan's name on the guest list for the Bennett Foundation event. Please tell me whether she is still connected to the company. I am worried she may be attempting to approach Andre.
I read it twice.
"Why didn't Rachel tell me?""
Rebecca's voice softened.
"She was sick, Andre. She didn't want to spend her remaining time fighting with you about someone you barely knew.""
I leaned back.
"But she could have warned me.""
"She did.""
Rebecca pointed to another email.
This one was sent directly to me.
I recognized the subject line.
*Something important about Maya.*
I searched my memory.
Then it came back.
A week before Rachel died, she had sent me an email asking me to come home early.
I had been in Chicago negotiating a major construction contract. I had replied that I would call her after dinner.
I never did.
The next morning, she was hospitalized.
Two weeks later, she was gone.
I opened the email on my phone.
Andre, I need you to be careful about the people you allow into Maya's life. I know you're lonely. I know you want someone to help you raise her. But please don't mistake kindness for loyalty.
My chest tightened.
I had never answered.
Not because I didn't care.
Because I thought we had more time.
Rebecca watched me quietly.
"She wasn't trying to control your future," she said.
"She was trying to protect Maya's.""
I covered my face.
For nine years, I had carried guilt about not being there when Rachel needed me most.
Now I had to confront something worse.
I had ignored her warning.
"Did Celeste ever contact Rachel after the fundraiser?""
Rebecca nodded.
"Once.""
She removed a printed letter from the folder.
It was a formal notice from Rachel's attorney.
The letter stated that Celeste had requested information about Rachel's financial arrangements and had been instructed to cease contacting her.
I looked at Rebecca.
"Why would Celeste be interested in Rachel's finances?""
"Because she knew about the trust.""
"And she thought she could get her hands on it?""
"She tried.""
Rebecca showed me a copy of a letter Celeste had sent to the attorney two months after Rachel's death.
She had claimed she was assisting with Maya's care and needed access to financial information.
The attorney refused.
Then, six months later, Celeste met me.
By the time we married, I had completely forgotten the warnings.
I had been so relieved to find someone who seemed willing to love my daughter that I never questioned why Celeste was so interested in our family's financial arrangements.
My phone rang.
It was our family attorney, Daniel Foster.
I answered immediately.
"Daniel.""
"Andre, I received your message. Rebecca filled me in.""
"Can you tell me what's happening with Maya's trust?""
"I've reviewed the documents. The trust remains intact, and the original trustee is still managing it.""
"Has Celeste attempted to access it?""
"Yes.""
I glanced at Rebecca.
"How many times?""
"At least three documented attempts.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
"Because the trust is legally separate from your marital assets, and your wife had no authority to access it.""
I clenched my jaw.
"What about the money from the canceled airline ticket?""
"That's a separate matter. You should preserve those records.""
"Can I remove Celeste from any authority over Maya's financial affairs?""
"Yes. We can review the existing guardianship and estate documents.""
I paused.
"Daniel, I also want to understand something. If Celeste deliberately concealed Maya's travel arrangements and attempted to access her inheritance, what does that mean for my marriage?""
Daniel didn't hesitate.
"It means you should stop making assumptions and start documenting facts.""
After the call, I sat in silence.
Rebecca poured me a glass of water.
"There's one more thing.""
I looked at her.
"Of course there is.""
She gave a sad smile.
"Rachel recorded a conversation with Celeste shortly before she died.""
My heart stopped.
"What conversation?""
"She confronted her about the financial inquiries. Rachel wanted evidence in case Celeste ever approached you.""
"Where is it?""
"In the box. There's a small recorder.""
Rebecca retrieved a silver digital device from beneath the letters.
It looked old, but the screen still worked.
She pressed a button.
A woman's voice filled the dining room.
Rachel.
Weak, breathless, but unmistakably her.
"Celeste, I know what you're doing.""
Another woman's voice answered.
Celeste.
"You're imagining things, Rachel.""
"No. I have the documents.""
"Then show them to me.""
"You have no right to Maya's inheritance.""
A short laugh.
"I haven't asked for anything.""
"Not yet.""
There was a pause.
Then Celeste spoke again.
"You're dying, Rachel. You can't control what happens after you're gone.""
I felt my stomach twist.
Rachel's voice trembled.
"I can control what I leave behind.""
Celeste laughed again.
"Andre won't believe you. He likes me.""
The recording ended with a loud click.
I sat motionless.
Rebecca looked toward the stairs.
"That's why Rachel left the letter.""
I replayed the final sentence in my head.
Andre won't believe you. He likes me.
Celeste hadn't simply underestimated Rachel.
She had been counting on my trust.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, the message was from Devin.
*Dad, Mom just called me. She says she's coming here.*
A second message appeared.
*She told me to get Maya and leave before you find out what she knows.*
I stood so quickly that my chair fell backward.
"Rebecca, where are the kids?""
"Upstairs.""
I ran to the staircase.
Maya was standing in the hallway with her backpack.
Devin stood beside her, holding his phone.
"What's happening?"" I asked.
Maya looked frightened.
"Mom said she wants to talk to us.""
I knelt in front of her.
"You don't have to go anywhere with her.""
Then I looked at Devin.
"What else did she say?""
He swallowed.
"She said if we don't come home, she'll tell everyone that you stole money from her.""
I stared at him.
"Money?""
He nodded.
"She said the vacation money wasn't the only thing you took.""
I looked at Rebecca.
She had followed me upstairs.
Her face had turned white.
"Andre," she whispered.
"What?""
"Celeste knows about the second account.""
I frowned.
"What second account?""
May you like
Rebecca looked toward the wooden box downstairs.
"The one Rachel created for Maya. The one nobody was supposed to know existed.""
