Jonathan listened silently, jaw tightening. When she finished, he exhaled slowly.
“Maddy,” he said, “this isn’t marriage. This is control.”
She looked down. Hearing someone else say it made it too real.
The doorbell rang. A tall man in a navy suit stepped inside—Ethan Cross, Jonathan’s longtime friend and a private investigator.
“You called?” Ethan asked.
Jonathan nodded. “I want everything on Ryan Bennett and his sisters. Finances, debts, assets, complaints—everything.”
Madeline’s eyes widened. “Dad, that’s too much—”
“No,” he said firmly. “They took advantage of you because they thought you were alone. You’re not.”
Ethan sat beside her. “Did your husband ever ask you to sign papers? Anything with your name on it?”
Madeline thought, then nodded. “Last year he had me sign something he said was about ‘car insurance updates.’ I… I didn’t read all of it.”
Jonathan closed his eyes, confirming a suspicion. “Ethan, get the document.”
Ethan left immediately. Madeline felt her stomach twist. “Dad… what’s happening?”
Before he could answer, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen and frowned.
“It’s Ryan.”
Madeline stiffened. “Don’t answer.”