Chapter 14 - The Story Celeste Wanted Everyone to BelieveThursday morning brought rain.
Ethan sat in a therapist's waiting room holding a small plastic dinosaur.
Daniel sat beside him.
Across the room, a fish tank hummed softly.
Ethan had asked three times whether the therapist would tell Celeste what he said.
Daniel had answered the same way each time.
"She isn't part of this appointment."
The therapist, Dr. Rebecca Foster, invited Ethan into a playroom furnished with toys, drawing supplies, and a small table.
Daniel waited outside after checking that Ethan was comfortable.
He resisted the urge to ask what happened during the session.
He was learning that caring about his son's feelings did not entitle him to every private thought.
Forty-five minutes later, Dr. Foster met briefly with Daniel.
She explained that Ethan appeared anxious about conflict and adult anger.
She recommended predictable routines, reassurance, and further sessions.
She did not describe his private disclosures in detail.
"Should I ask him what he told you?" Daniel asked.
"I'd encourage you to let him decide what he wants to share."
Daniel nodded.
"Will he recover?"
Dr. Foster regarded him kindly.
"Children can heal. But recovery isn't a switch you flip. He needs consistency."
Daniel looked through the window toward the playground.
Consistency.
Something he had offered investors for twenty years and his son far less often.
On the drive home, Ethan fell asleep.
Daniel carried him inside and laid him on the sofa.
Leah covered the boy with a blanket.
Then Daniel checked his email.
An attorney representing Celeste in their impending divorce had sent a letter proposing a temporary arrangement.
Celeste requested access to the marital residence to collect belongings, continued financial support consistent with their marital circumstances, and restrictions against public statements that could damage her reputation.
Those were matters for lawyers.
But the next paragraph troubled Daniel.
It alleged that he had exercised poor judgment regarding Ethan's emotional needs and cited the unsigned behavioral memorandum as supporting material.
Daniel called his family-law attorney, Olivia Bennett.
Olivia was practical, experienced, and unimpressed by threats.
"She's trying to make this about your parenting," Daniel said.
"She's raising allegations," Olivia replied. "We answer them with facts."
"Can she ask for custody?"
"She's his stepmother. You're his living legal parent, and there's no adoption. Ordinary custody claims between parents don't apply in the same way here. Don't confuse a threatening letter with a court granting her parental rights."
Daniel exhaled.
"Then what does she want?"
"Leverage. Money, access, reputational protection, perhaps a favorable settlement. We'll address each issue properly."
"I don't want Ethan dragged into this."
"Neither do I. That's why you need to stop discussing litigation where he can hear it."
Daniel glanced toward the sofa.
The boy was still asleep.
"You're right."
Olivia continued.
"We'll arrange a supervised belongings collection if necessary. Do not use Ethan to carry messages. Don't confront Celeste without counsel."
Daniel agreed.
After the call, he found Leah in the kitchen.
"How did I get so bad at being a father?"
She put down a dish towel.
"You weren't absent every moment."
"That's not much comfort."
"No. But guilt becomes another form of selfishness if all you do is stare at it."
He looked at her.
"What should I do?"
"Be here when he wakes up."
Daniel sat beside his sleeping son.
He stayed there for nearly an hour.
When Ethan stirred, he reached for Daniel's hand before opening his eyes.
"Daddy?"
"I'm here."
"Did I miss dinner?"
"No."
"Good."
The boy closed his eyes again.
Daniel understood that these ordinary moments were becoming the most important parts of his life.
That evening, across town, Celeste met her attorney, Peter Sloan.
He had reviewed the documents she wanted to use in the Riverbend transaction.
His expression was grim.
"Celeste, I need you to tell me the truth about this environmental report."
She crossed her legs.
"What about it?"
"The consultant's licensing information doesn't match the firm named on the cover."
"Administrative error."
"I contacted the business at the address listed. They have no record of this assignment."
Celeste looked away.
Peter continued.
"Marisol Chen also denies signing the adviser approval."
"She wants to block the sale."
"Did you create or alter either document?"
Celeste stood.
"I'm paying you to protect me."
"I'm asking because I cannot assist you in submitting documents I know to be false."
She grabbed her handbag.
"Then perhaps I need another lawyer."
Peter remained seated.
"You're entitled to independent advice. But I strongly recommend you stop the transaction and preserve every record."
Celeste moved toward the door.
His final words stopped her.
"The legal problems you're facing won't disappear because you change attorneys."
She left without responding.
That night, Daniel received an unexpected voicemail.
It came from a woman who identified herself as a former Northstar bookkeeper.
Her voice shook.
"Mr. Mercer, I worked on the Riverbend paperwork. There are things you need to know about the signatures. I can't say them over the phone."
A pause.
May you like
Then:
"Please don't tell Celeste I called."
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