Chapter 7: The Birthday Party That Was Never About Him
Theron read the anonymous message three times before showing it to Julian.
When Eirlys is no longer an obstacle, everything will finally fall into place.
The handwriting matched Corisande's, but neither man was willing to treat an anonymous photograph as conclusive proof. The message could have been altered, taken out of context, or sent by someone attempting to manipulate the investigation.
Still, the date written beneath it was unmistakable.
Theron's fortieth birthday celebration was scheduled for Saturday evening.
Corisande had insisted on organizing the event herself. She had invited business associates, wealthy families from Greenwich, several local philanthropists, and representatives from the charity initiative Theron had funded.
She had even selected the flowers.
Now Theron wondered why she had been so determined to host a party he had repeatedly said he didn't want.
"Can you identify the sender?"" he asked Julian.
"Not from this photograph alone. I'll preserve it and pass it to the investigator. In the meantime, don't confront your wife based solely on an unverified message.""
Theron looked toward the garden.
Eirlys was sitting on the steps, arranging little plastic animals into groups. Miss Harper had given her a yellow sun hat, and the child kept adjusting it over her golden curls.
"I don't care about the party," Theron said.
"I care about why someone believes my daughter is an obstacle.""
"Then we focus on protecting her and establishing facts.""
Theron canceled the children's entertainment Corisande had booked for the celebration and instructed his staff that Eirlys would not attend the party. He also arranged for Miss Harper to take her to Eleanor's home for the evening, with appropriate arrangements for her safety and comfort.
When Corisande learned about the changes, she appeared in his study carrying a stack of invitations.
"You canceled the children's program?""
"Yes.""
"Without discussing it with me?""
"I've decided Eirlys won't be at the party.""
Corisande placed the invitations on his desk.
"That is absurd. She's your daughter. People expect to see her.""
"She doesn't need to be paraded in front of guests.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"People will ask questions.""
"Let them.""
She leaned forward.
"Do you have any idea what you've done to my reputation? Your mother is telling people I'm dangerous. Margaret is refusing to cooperate with me. Now you're changing the arrangements for your own birthday because of a child who barely understands what's happening.""
Theron stared at her.
"You just described three adults who have concerns about your behavior. Have you considered why?""
Corisande's face reddened.
"I am tired of being treated like a criminal.""
"Then stop behaving as though everyone asking questions is your enemy.""
She picked up the invitations again.
"Fine. I'll manage the evening myself.""
"That's your choice.""
She paused at the door.
"And Theron? You might want to remember that people can be very unforgiving when a wealthy man starts having family problems. The wrong story in the wrong newspaper can destroy a reputation you've spent your entire life building.""
He watched her leave.
It wasn't quite a threat.
But it was close enough.
On Friday afternoon, the investigator delivered an initial report about the two companies connected to the charity initiative. Several payments appeared to have been routed through subcontractors, and the documentation for the services provided was incomplete.
The investigator had not established criminal wrongdoing, but the arrangement warranted further scrutiny.
Julian placed the report on Theron's desk.
"We need to be careful," he said.
"The records raise questions. They don't yet establish what your wife knew or whether any money was misused.""
"Understood.""
"There's another development. Margaret received a letter from Corisande's attorney asking her to reconsider the current care arrangement for Amelie. It suggests that Corisande intends to seek expanded parental access.""
"Does Margaret believe Corisande is ready to be a mother?""
"She believes Amelie deserves the opportunity to know her mother, provided the contact is safe and guided by the child's needs.""
Theron nodded.
He understood that. Whatever Corisande had done, Amelie was not responsible for it.
Neither was Eirlys.
That evening, he visited Eleanor's house to make sure his daughter was comfortable with the plan for Saturday.
Eirlys sat on the living room rug, coloring a picture of a house with a red roof. Eleanor was beside her, patiently helping her choose between two shades of green.
When Theron entered, Eirlys immediately stood.
"Daddy!""
He scooped her into his arms.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
"Grandma says I can sleep here tomorrow.""
"If you want to.""
Eirlys nodded enthusiastically, then became serious.
"Will Mommy be at the party?""
"Yes.""
"Will she be angry if I'm not there?""
Theron crouched so they were eye to eye.
"Her feelings are not your responsibility.""
Eirlys thought about that.
"Can I bring Buttons?""
"Of course.""
She ran upstairs to pack her rabbit, leaving Theron alone with his mother.
Eleanor watched the staircase.
"She's beginning to relax," she said quietly.
"But she still startles whenever someone raises their voice.""
Theron lowered his head.
"I should have noticed sooner.""
"Yes," Eleanor replied gently.
"You should have.""
He looked at her.
She took his hand.
"But you are noticing now. What matters is what you do with that knowledge.""
For the first time in days, Theron felt something other than anger or fear.
He felt determined to become the father his daughter needed, even if doing so required him to confront the parts of himself he would rather ignore.
Saturday arrived beneath a clear autumn sky.
By six o'clock, the Viremont estate glowed with warm lights. A string quartet played in the entrance hall, champagne glasses lined the marble bar, and white roses filled the dining room.
Corisande moved through the guests in a silver evening gown, smiling for photographs and greeting everyone with effortless elegance.
If anyone noticed the tension between her and Theron, they were polite enough not to mention it.
At seven thirty, Theron stood beside the staircase and welcomed a group of business associates.
Corisande approached with a glass in her hand.
"You look miserable," she whispered.
"It's my birthday. I can look however I like.""
She smiled for the guests.
"Of course, darling.""
Then she leaned closer.
"Your daughter is missing from the family portrait.""
"She isn't missing. She's safe with Eleanor.""
Corisande's smile froze.
"You've humiliated me.""
"I haven't discussed our private affairs with anyone here.""
"You didn't have to. Everyone can see something is wrong.""
Before he could answer, a woman in a dark green dress approached them.
Theron recognized her from the photographs Julian had shown him.
Margaret Vale.
Beside her stood a man carrying a leather briefcase. Behind them, near the entrance, was a young girl with dark curls and a pink backpack decorated with yellow butterflies.
Amelie.
Corisande went completely still.
For a moment, the party continued around them, oblivious to the sudden silence between the three adults.
Then Corisande put down her glass.
"Mother," she said, her voice trembling.
"You brought her here?""
Margaret stood firm.
"Amelie wanted to see you.""
Corisande's expression changed.
She looked at the guests, then at Theron, then at the little girl.
"This isn't the time.""
Amelie clutched the straps of her backpack.
"I brought you something, Mommy.""
Corisande didn't reach for it.
Instead, she turned to Theron.
"You arranged this.""
"No.""
"Don't lie to me!""
Several guests looked over.
Theron kept his voice low.
"I had no idea they were coming tonight.""
Margaret stepped forward.
"We didn't come to create a scene. Amelie wanted to give her mother a chance to speak with her.""
Corisande stared at the child.
Then she forced a smile.
"Of course, darling. Come here.""
Amelie took one hesitant step forward.
Corisande bent down, but before the girl could reach her, she whispered something that only the adults standing nearby could hear.
"Not now. Go with your grandmother.""
Amelie's face crumpled.
She looked down at the backpack, then slowly backed away.
Theron felt a surge of anger, but Margaret raised a hand, signaling that she would handle the moment.
She knelt beside Amelie.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get some air.""
As they turned toward the door, a guest approached Theron with a puzzled expression.
"Theron, forgive me for asking, but is that Corisande's daughter?""
Theron looked at the child leaving the room.
"Yes.""
The guest lowered her voice.
"I thought she had passed away.""
Theron turned sharply.
"What?""
The woman looked uncomfortable.
"Corisande told several people at a charity luncheon that she had lost a child years ago. She said it was why she became involved in children's causes.""
Theron stared at her.
Across the room, Corisande had heard every word.
She set down her glass and walked toward them.
"That is a private tragedy," she said coldly.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't turn it into gossip.""
The guest apologized and retreated.
Theron looked at his wife.
"You told people Amelie was dead?""
Corisande's eyes flashed.
"I told them I had lost her.""
"She's standing outside.""
"She was taken from me.""
"She was raised by her grandmother because you left her there.""
Corisande leaned close.
"Not another word.""
Theron didn't move.
For the first time, he wasn't frightened of what she might say to their guests. He was frightened by the lengths she seemed willing to go to preserve the version of herself she wanted the world to believe.
A sudden commotion came from the entrance hall.
Margaret hurried back inside, her face pale.
"Mr. Viremont, I need your help.""
Theron immediately followed her.
"What's happened?""
"Amelie has disappeared.""
He stopped.
"What do you mean, disappeared?""
"She was standing beside me outside. I turned to speak to the driver, and when I looked back, she was gone.""
Theron scanned the courtyard.
Security staff began checking the grounds. Julian, who had attended the event briefly, joined the search.
Then one of the guards approached with a folded piece of paper.
"We found this near the side gate, sir.""
Theron unfolded it.
The handwriting was uneven, the letters carefully formed.
Mommy said I have to be brave and go where she tells me.
Beneath the sentence was a drawing of a black car.
Theron looked toward Corisande.
She stood at the top of the entrance steps, her silver gown catching the light.
Her face was expressionless.
May you like
But when Theron held up the note, her eyes moved toward the side driveway.
And that single glance told him the search had become far more serious than a missing-child scare at a birthday party.
