He knew exactly whom she meant.
Mara.
The woman who had spent nearly a decade as his wife.
The mother of his daughter.
The person his mother had never truly accepted.
Daniel took another step.
"Was this about Mara?"
Evelyn's face changed.
For a moment, she seemed uncertain.
Then she said coldly, "Mara has been undermining this family for years."
Daniel closed his eyes.
He remembered his former wife's exhausted face on the night she left.
The arguments.
The counseling sessions.
The times she begged him to set boundaries.
He opened his eyes.
"How much did you pay Claire?"
Evelyn did not answer.
Claire spoke quietly.
"Two hundred and ten thousand dollars."
Daniel turned.
For several seconds, he stared at her.
Claire swallowed.
"Some of it was supposed to be consulting. The rest was for pretending."
Daniel looked toward his mother.
Two hundred and ten thousand dollars.
Money spent creating a nonexistent child.
Money paid to manipulate a man who trusted both women.
He felt sick.
"Where did it come from?"
Evelyn looked away.
Daniel's voice sharpened.
"Mother."
She swallowed.
"Family resources."
He stared.
"What family resources?"
"Daniel, we need legal advice before discussing financial details."
The words confirmed his fear.
This was larger than the pregnancy.
Larger than the engagement.
Something had been hidden in the business arrangements too.
He looked toward Claire.
"Are you pregnant?"
She shook her head.
"No."
His lips trembled.
"Have you ever been pregnant with my child?"
She began sobbing.
"No."
Daniel looked toward the cake.
For months, he had been imagining a baby who had never existed.
A nursery had been planned.
Names discussed.
Medical appointments invented.
He had spoken to Sophie about becoming a big sister.
He had watched his daughter's eyes fill with uncertainty.
He had reassured her that nothing would change his love.
All because two adults had decided his hope was useful to their plans.
Daniel looked toward Evelyn.
For the first time in his life, he did not ask his mother to explain further.