That was what she had believed.
I finally understood.
After my military career, I had kept a sealed deployment bag because I couldn’t throw it away.
Claire had interpreted it as preparation to disappear.
“So you decided to steal from me before I could leave?”
“I decided I needed protection.”
“Then where was the money going?”
Claire’s lips trembled.
“To Melissa.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted a life you couldn’t control.”
Derek laughed bitterly.
“You told me we were opening a second gym.”
Claire looked at him.
“I was going to.”
“With stolen money?”
“You were going to benefit!”
“That isn’t the point!”
For the first time, Derek looked less like a villain and more like what he actually was.
A young, arrogant idiot who had walked into a much older mess believing he was the smartest person in it.
He looked at me.
“She told me you abused her.”
That
