“It releases Daniel from any personal liability regarding the joint accounts from the merger,” Patricia said.

Her voice was tight, her breathing heavy.

“If you sign it, the bank cannot freeze his remaining assets to satisfy your claims,” she explained.

“He is facing bankruptcy, Claire. Real bankruptcy.”

“He lied to the court,” I said.

“He is the father of your children,” she said, her voice rising.

“Do you want Lily and Ethan to grow up with a father who has nothing?”

“He should have thought of that before he hid millions,” I said.

“He did it for the family,” Patricia insisted.

I heard Vanessa speak up in the background, her voice muffled but angry.

“He did it for us,” Vanessa said.

“Shut up, Vanessa,” Patricia barked at her.

I heard the sound of footsteps on a hardwood floor through the line.

“You don’t even know if that child is his, you stupid girl,” Patricia said, her voice muffled as if she had partially covered the microphone.

My hand froze.

“What did you say?” Vanessa cried out in the background.