Chapter 6 - Accountability
By Friday, the dominoes fell with terrifying speed.
First National Bank formally called in the total debt owed by Harrington Enterprises—a staggering 4.2 million dollars. Without my personal land guarantee, the bank began immediate foreclosure proceedings on the company’s headquarters and Arthur’s primary residence.
The board of directors met on Saturday morning. In a emergency three-minute vote, Arthur Harrington was stripped of his title as CEO.
Daniel, who held no real legal ownership outside of a tiny share package, was relieved of his duties entirely.
At 2:00 PM, I sat in the living room of our former penthouse, watching two movers pack my belongings into sturdy wooden crates. The apartment smelled of cardboard and clean linen.
The front door unlocked, and Daniel stepped inside.
He looked broken. His suit was wrinkled, his hair unbrushed, and he had dropped at least five pounds in three days. He carried a small white box from a local bakery.
"Your favorite," Daniel said softly, setting the box on the counter. "Lemon tarts."
I didn't look at the box. "The movers will be finished in an hour, Daniel. You can have the apartment back until the bank seizes it next month."
Daniel walked over to the counter, sinking onto one of the barstools. "Madison’s bail was set at fifty thousand dollars," he whispered. "Dad had to hock his watch collection just to pay the bondsman. She’s staying at a motel downtown. She won't stop crying."
"She should have thought about crying before she committed felony fraud," I said plainly.
"Claire," Daniel looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. "I am so sorry. I swear to God, I didn't know about the money. I didn't know Madison was stealing, and I didn't know Dad used your name for the credit line."
"I know you didn't know, Daniel," I said, turning to face him. "And that's the saddest part. You were so busy trying to please your father and protect your sister that you never bothered to look at what they were doing to me—or to you."
"I was a coward," Daniel sobbed, burying his face in his hands. "When Madison poured that wine... I saw my mother smile, and I saw my dad laugh, and I was terrified that if I stood up to them, they’d turn on me too. So I let your parents take the hit."
I walked over and stood beside him, looking down at his bowed head.
"A husband who trades his wife's dignity to buy peace from his bullies isn't a husband, Daniel," I said gently. "He’s just an accomplice."
"Can we try again?" Daniel pleaded, reaching out to grasp the hem of my jacket. "No money. No family business. Just you and me. I’ll get a normal job. I’ll apologize to your parents on my knees. I’ll do anything."
May you like
I pulled my jacket gently out of his grip.
"It’s too late, Daniel," I said. "You had five minutes on Tuesday night. You let them tick away."
