“One-point-six million dollars,” he continued. “My father has controlled it since I was nineteen because of the way the trust was structured.”
William crossed his arms.
Caleb’s voice tightened.
“He offered me a deal.”
My stomach turned.
“What deal?”
“If I stayed away from you until the baby was born, he’d stop fighting the transfer and release the trust.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
“And you agreed?”
“Yes.”
The word hit harder than I expected.
Caleb stepped forward.
“I thought once the money was legally mine, he couldn’t use it to control our future anymore. I thought I could come back afterward, tell you everything, and build a life with you that he couldn’t touch.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“You thought abandoning your pregnant girlfriend was the best way to build our future?”
“I know how it sounds.”
“No, Caleb. You don’t.”
