Chapter 4: The Secret Preston Was Hiding
The manager held the paper carefully.
Nobody spoke.
I could hear Sophie breathing beside me.
“Mommy,” she whispered.
I squeezed her hand.
“I’m here.””
Preston looked almost relieved.
Like he had been waiting for this moment.
“What’s in that envelope?”” I asked.
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he looked at the guests.
“You all saw what happened tonight.””
I shook my head.
“No. We saw what you did.””
His jaw tightened.
But he continued.
“This isn’t the first time something has gone missing.””
A few guests exchanged looks.
I felt my anger rising.
“Don’t do this.””
“Do what?””
“Stand there and make my daughter look guilty again.””
Preston ignored me.
The manager unfolded the paper.
“It’s a handwritten note.””
I frowned.
“A note?””
The manager read quietly.
Then he looked at me.
“This says: ‘I took it because I wanted it.’”
The room erupted in whispers.
Sophie’s face went pale.
“I didn’t write that.””
I immediately believed her.
Because I knew her handwriting.
I knew every messy letter she practiced at the kitchen table.
“That’s not hers,” I said.
Preston crossed his arms.
“You’re sure?””
“Yes.””
“Because you’re her mother.””
“Because I know my child.””
He shook his head.
“You always defend her.””
I stepped closer.
“And you always blame her.””
For the first time, Preston looked uncomfortable.
The manager studied the note.
“There’s something strange.””
Everyone looked at him.
“The handwriting appears to be from a child.””
Preston nodded.
“Exactly.””
He looked at Sophie.
“She wrote it.””
Sophie started crying.
“I didn’t!””
I knelt beside her.
“Look at me.””
She did.
“Did you ever write that?””
“No, Mommy.””
“Did you take anything from Uncle Preston?””
She shook her head.
“I don’t even like his phone.””
A few guests smiled sadly.
Because it sounded exactly like a child.
Simple.
Honest.
But Preston wasn’t finished.
“There’s more.””
I stood.
“What more?””
He pulled out another paper.
“This note was found beside the phone charger in my office.””
The room became tense again.
My mind raced.
Why had Preston been collecting evidence against my daughter?
Why had he been waiting?
Then Lauren spoke.
“Preston.””
Her voice sounded different.
Afraid.
“What?””
“Where exactly did you find those papers?””
He looked at her.
“In my office.””
“Which office?””
His expression changed.
“The one at home.””
Lauren swallowed.
“The office only you and Madison had access to.””
Silence.
Preston looked at her.
“What are you implying?””
“I’m saying you never told me about these notes.””
He looked away.
Because she was right.
Something was wrong.
Then Madison suddenly spoke.
“Ask him about the first note.””
Everyone turned.
Preston stared.
“What?””
Madison stepped forward.
“You heard me.””
Lauren looked confused.
“Madison, what are you talking about?””
Madison’s eyes filled with tears.
“The first note wasn’t from Sophie.””
She pointed at Preston.
“It was from him.””
The room froze.
Preston’s face changed.
“Don’t.””
Madison’s voice shook.
“You’re the one who wrote it.””
My heart pounded.
“What is she talking about?””
Madison looked at me.
And what she said next changed everything.
“Evelyn, your brother has been trying to get custody of Sophie.””
I felt the world stop.
“What?””
Preston looked furious.
“That’s a lie.””
Madison shook her head.
“No. It’s why you invited them tonight.””
I stared at Preston.
My own brother.
The man who had just accused my daughter of stealing.
The man who had hurt her.
“Why?”” I whispered.
Preston said nothing.
Then Lauren walked toward him.
“Tell her.””
He remained silent.
Lauren’s eyes filled with disappointment.
“Tell her why you wanted evidence against an eight-year-old girl.””
The ballroom waited.
Finally, Preston looked at me.
May you like
And he said:
“Because I was planning to take Sophie away from you.””
