The total came to twelve hundred dollars.

I used my private account, the one carrying my maiden name, Alexandra Miller.

Next, I called the resort in Maui.

The receptionist sounded harried when she answered.

“Grand Wailea, how can I help you?”

“I need to pay the outstanding balance for villa four-twelve,” I said.

“Name on the reservation?”

“Richard Sterling,” I said.

“Ah, yes,” she said, her voice instantly dropping into a professional but stressed tone. “We are having an issue with the card on file.”

“I know,” I said. “I am his wife. We are in the middle of a legal separation. I want to pay the balance so my children can leave.”

“Oh,” she said. “I understand.”

I gave her my card details.

The transaction cleared immediately.

“Thank you,” she said. “The children are free to leave.”

“If Mr. Sterling asks, please do not tell him who paid,” I said.

“Of course,” she said. “We respect your privacy.”

I hung up and booked a local taxi service in Maui, routing it to the lobby of the resort.

I sent the confirmation screenshot to Dylan’s phone.