The Weekend of Lies

Part 2 – The Secrets in His Accounts

Saturday Morning
Charleston, South Carolina

At 8:30 Saturday morning, I sat across from Daniel Hayes in his law office.

He examined the photographs I had taken outside the Bellweather Hotel, then read Eric’s message twice.

“How long has he been doing this?” he asked.

“Four years, apparently.”

Daniel leaned back.

“Caroline, an affair is one thing. But if he’s been maintaining a second life for four years, we need to examine your finances before you confront him.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean?”

He opened the folder I had brought.

“Your husband has access to several accounts connected to your marriage. I want to know whether he’s been moving money.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

Andrew and I had always maintained separate business interests, but our household finances were managed through a joint investment account.

I had trusted him to handle the details.

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Daniel turned his laptop toward me.

“Look at these transactions.”

There were monthly transfers to a company called Collins Hospitality Consulting.

The amounts ranged from $8,000 to $15,000.

I stared at the screen.

“Collins? As in Mara Collins?”

“That’s what I suspect.”

Daniel continued scrolling.

“There’s also a property purchase in Savannah. The deed lists a holding company, but the registered mailing address belongs to Mara.”

My stomach tightened.

“Did Andrew buy her a house?”

“Possibly. We need more documentation.”

I looked down at my hands.

For four years, I had believed my husband was spending his weekends fishing with old friends.

Meanwhile, he had apparently been financing an entirely different life.

“There’s something else,” Daniel said.

He opened another document.

“Your husband’s company recently applied for a substantial business loan. The paperwork includes a personal guarantee connected to assets you brought into the marriage.”

I immediately looked up.

“What?”

“Your inheritance from your grandmother. The estate was placed in a protected trust before your wedding. Andrew shouldn’t be able to use it without your authorization.”

“Then why is my name on this document?”

Daniel studied the signature.

“That’s exactly what I intend to find out.”

I felt cold.

I had signed countless documents over the years. Andrew often brought paperwork home, telling me they were routine corporate approvals.

Had I unknowingly signed something that placed my inheritance at risk?

“Can he take my money?” I asked.

“Not legally, if the trust was properly maintained. But I don’t want to underestimate what he’s attempting.”

Daniel closed the folder.

“Caroline, don’t confront him yet. Don’t warn Mara. And don’t sign anything your husband gives you.”

I nodded.

For the first time, I understood that this wasn’t simply about saving my marriage or ending an affair.

It was about protecting everything I had built before Andrew ever entered my life.

That afternoon, Andrew called.

“Hey, sweetheart! How’s your weekend?”

I looked at the photograph of him and Mara on my phone.

“Quiet. How’s the fishing?”

“Terrible. We haven’t caught anything.”

I almost laughed.

“That’s unfortunate.”

He chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you when I get home. Maybe I’ll take you to dinner Monday.”

“That sounds lovely.”

There was a brief pause.

“Actually, Caroline, I need you to do me a favor.”

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“What is it?”

“I sent you an email. Just a few financial documents. I need your signature before Monday morning.”

Daniel’s warning immediately returned to my mind.

“What kind of documents?”

“Business stuff. Nothing complicated. You know I wouldn’t bother you with anything important.”

I looked at the email notification appearing on my screen.

“I’ll review them.”

His voice changed slightly.

“Caroline, I really need this done.”

“I said I’ll review them, Andrew.”

Silence.

Then he laughed awkwardly.

“All right. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I ended the call.

The email contained three attachments.

One was a loan authorization.

Another was a property transfer agreement.

The third was a document I had never seen before.

A proposed amendment to my grandmother’s trust.

Andrew wasn’t merely having an affair.

He was trying to gain control over my inheritance.

And suddenly, I wondered whether Mara was the only woman involved in his plans.