Chapter 10 - The Man Derek BlamedDerek blamed his father.
For two days, that was easier.
His father had spoiled him.
His mother had protected him.
Amanda had kept assets separate.
Leo had changed the marriage.
Rosa had copied footage.
The board had panicked.
The bank had overreacted.
Everyone had contributed.
Therefore, Derek told himself, everyone shared responsibility.
Then the forensic accountant called.
The lender investigation had found emails Derek could not explain away.
One read:
Amanda will sign once she understands the alternative is losing the house lifestyle.
Another:
Her emotional weak point is stability for Leo. Frame the restructuring around preserving the family home.
Derek had written both.
Not his mother.
Not his father.
Him.
His attorney placed the printouts on the table.
“What did you mean by ‘emotional weak point’?”
Derek looked away.
“I meant she wanted Leo stable.”
“You intended to use that concern to persuade her.”
“To explain the benefits.”
“Derek.”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
His attorney continued.
“Did Amanda know the company was in severe distress?”
“No.”
“Did she know the mansion trust had already been leveraged?”
“No.”
“Did she know the marital agreement would support company debt?”
“Not yet.”
“So you planned to obtain her signature before full disclosure?”
Derek’s voice lowered.
“I planned to explain everything.”
“When?”
Silence.
His attorney leaned back.
“The prosecutor may view this as attempted fraud even though she never signed.”
“Attempted?”
“They will decide.”
Derek felt panic.
“Can I go to prison?”
“Possibly, depending on the final evidence and charges. The more immediate exposure involves false statements to lenders and trust documents.”
Derek stood.
“I need to talk to Amanda.”
“No.”
“She can tell them she would have invested.”
“Would she?”
Derek said nothing.
“Then do not contact her about testimony.”
Derek paced.
“This is my family.”
“No.”
The attorney’s voice was firm.
“This is now a legal proceeding involving your family.”
That evening, Derek drove to the mansion.
His access code no longer worked.
He called Mrs. Clark.
“You changed the code?”
“Yes.”
“You locked me out of my own house.”
“It belongs to the trust.”
“I grew up there.”
“So did I.”
“Open the door.”
“No.”
Derek stared through the glass.
His mother stood inside.
“Why are you doing this?”
Mrs. Clark looked exhausted.
“Because every time I save you from one consequence, you create a larger one.”
“You think Dad would approve?”
“I think your father warned both of us.”
Derek held up the letter.
“You hid this.”
“Yes.”
“You don't get to suddenly become moral.”
“I agree.”
That answer infuriated him more.
Mrs. Clark continued.
“I am not asking to be innocent.”
“Then open the door.”
“No.”
Derek’s voice broke.
“Mom.”
For one second, she nearly moved.
The sound returned him to childhood.
Derek at nine after breaking a neighbor’s window.
At sixteen after crashing a car.
At twenty-four after losing an investment.
Mom.
She always fixed it.
Mrs. Clark pressed her palm against the glass.
“I love you.”
Derek stared.
“Then let me in.”
“No.”
He stepped backward.
She cried.
So did he.
But she did not open the door.
Across town, Amanda received a report from Leo’s therapist.
He was improving.
He would approach stairs now if holding Amanda's hand.
Still, he asked repeatedly:
“Mommy watch?”
Every time, Amanda answered:
“Yes. I’m watching.”
She had once thought love meant making Leo feel that danger would never happen.
Now she understood something more realistic.
She could not promise the world would never let him fall.
She could promise she would pay attention.
That night Leo stood at the bottom of the condo staircase.
“Up?”
Amanda took his hand.
“One step.”
He climbed.
Then another.
At the third, he looked over his shoulder.
“Mommy watch?”
Amanda smiled through tears.
May you like
“Always.”
Neither of them knew that those words would become the opposite of everything Derek represented.
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