“I married you because I loved you,” she said softly. “But I also needed answers. I needed to understand the man who destroyed my family.”
“And I learned the truth.”
Aaron added quietly, “She contacted me months ago. Together we uncovered the full story.”
Michael felt something inside him collapse.
“So what do you want?” he asked Aaron.
“A confession,” Aaron said. “Public admission. Compensation for the victims. Cooperation with investigators.”
“And if I refuse?”
“These documents go to prosecutors and the media,” Aaron replied calmly. “Your empire will collapse overnight.”
Michael looked at the envelope. Then at Claire.
His perfect life had been slowly unraveling beside him for ten years.
“Why wait so long?” he asked her quietly.
Claire wiped her tears.
“Because I needed to be sure,” she said. “I wanted to believe you might be different.”
She paused.
“And because I loved you.”
Aaron glanced at his watch.
“Time is running out.”
Michael sat down slowly.
He remembered the ruthless ambition of his younger years. The victories he had celebrated without questioning the damage they caused.
Finally he looked up.
“If I confess… what happens to Claire?”
“She becomes a witness,” Aaron said. “No charges.”