Chapter 2 - The Morning After
Daniel did not sleep.
Neither did Chloe.
But for entirely different reasons.
At two in the morning, Chloe stood in the penthouse kitchen wearing Daniel's shirt and demanding to know why he had told her the property belonged to him.
Daniel poured another whiskey.
“It was our marital home.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Daniel ignored her.
Chloe crossed her arms.
“You said Rebecca would leave with nothing.”
“She will.”
“You literally just found out she sold this place.”
Daniel slammed the glass onto the counter.
“It is paperwork.”
Chloe flinched.
Daniel immediately lowered his voice.
“I'll stop the closing.”
“How?”
“My lawyers will handle it.”
Chloe stared at him for a long moment.
She was twenty-eight, ambitious, attractive, and much more observant than Daniel had assumed.
For almost a year, he had painted Rebecca as a passive suburban wife who had accidentally married into success.
Tonight had revealed something very different.
Rebecca had walked into humiliation prepared.
That frightened Chloe more than she wanted to admit.
At seven fifteen the next morning, someone knocked on the penthouse door.
Daniel opened it expecting his attorney.
Instead, two men in dark suits stood outside.
One held a clipboard.
“Daniel Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“You've been formally notified that the property has transferred ownership effective nine this morning.”
Daniel laughed.
“Impossible.”
The man handed him an envelope.
“The new owner has authorized occupancy until noon tomorrow.”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
“Occupancy?”
“You need to remove your personal belongings.”
Chloe appeared behind him.
Daniel turned away quickly.
“This is ridiculous.”
The second man calmly photographed the entryway.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Stop taking pictures.”
“We're documenting the property's condition.”
“This is my home.”
“Not according to the recorded deed.”
Daniel snatched the papers and slammed the door.
Chloe stared at him.
“You said your lawyers would stop it.”
“They will.”
His phone rang.
This time it was his attorney, Martin Keller.
Daniel answered immediately.
“Tell me you fixed this.”
Martin was silent for a beat.
“Daniel, Rebecca had the legal authority to sell.”
Daniel walked toward the windows.
“No.”
“The trust owned the residence.”
“I contributed to renovations.”
“That doesn't create ownership.”
Daniel tightened his grip on the phone.
“What about marital rights?”
“The trust predates your marriage.”
Daniel felt heat crawl up his neck.
Martin continued.
“There is something else.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“What?”
“Rebecca filed for divorce at eight thirty this morning.”
Across the room, Chloe's expression changed.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“On what grounds?”
Martin sighed.
“New York doesn't require what you think it requires.”
Daniel looked toward Chloe.
She immediately turned away.
Martin continued.
“You also need to discuss financial disclosures.”
Daniel's stomach tightened.
“What financial disclosures?”
“Your company debt.”
Daniel froze.
“How does she know about that?”
“I don't know.”
Daniel walked into his study and closed the door.
“Martin.”
“Yes?”
“Can she touch Mercer Strategic?”
Another pause.
“Possibly.”
Daniel stared through the glass wall at the skyline.
His company was supposed to be untouchable.
It was the one thing Rebecca had never challenged.
Martin lowered his voice.
“Daniel, before you do anything else, you need to understand what Rebecca owns.”
Daniel swallowed.
“I know what she owns.”
May you like
Martin replied carefully.
“I don't think you do.”
