"Why is Sophie's name here?"

Rachel stared at the document Olivia had placed before her.

It was an account-opening application.

The account belonged to a family trust established in Sophie's name.

Rachel recognized her own signature.

But she had never seen the completed document.

The account listed Derek Walsh as the person authorized to manage its investments.

Beside his name was a second authorized representative.

Marcus Bell.

Rachel looked up.

"What is this?"

Olivia spoke carefully.

"The records suggest Derek established an investment account using documents you signed during your pregnancy."

Rachel's hands began shaking.

"I thought I was signing medical insurance forms."

"We're checking how the account was opened and whether your signature was obtained through misrepresentation."

Rachel looked down at Sophie.

Her daughter was sleeping in the portable crib beside the sofa.

Six months old.

Too young to understand money.

Too young to know that her own father might have used her name for financial transactions.

"How much money is in it?"

Olivia turned a page.

"The account received approximately two million dollars."

Rachel stared.

The amount matched one of the transfers in Derek's envelope.

Ethan leaned forward.

"Where did it come from?"

Olivia pointed toward the originating company.

Callahan Commercial Holdings.

Ethan's expression hardened.

"Marcus transferred the money."

The trust's paperwork described the funds as a private investment on Sophie's behalf.

But investigators believed the account might have been used to conceal money diverted from Daniel's property transactions.

Rachel looked toward Ethan.

"Did Derek plan this before she was born?"

"We don't know yet."

She covered her mouth.

For months, Derek had told her they couldn't afford childcare.

He refused to contribute toward Sophie's medical bills.

He complained when Rachel bought the baby new clothes.

All while millions of dollars moved through an account bearing their daughter's name.

Rachel felt something break inside her.

Not her love for Derek.

That had been dying for months.

It was the last part of her that still wanted to believe he'd cared about their baby.

"He never wanted Sophie," she whispered.

Ethan didn't answer.

He couldn't know that.

But he understood why she felt it.

Olivia continued reviewing the documents.

One authorization had been added after Sophie was born.

It purported to allow Derek to move funds without Rachel's approval.

The signature attached to it did not resemble Rachel's handwriting.

Rachel pointed.

"I didn't sign that."

Olivia nodded.

"We'll have it examined."

Then Rachel noticed another page.

It was a draft agreement assigning the account's assets to a newly formed investment company.

The proposed transfer required approval from the person listed as Sophie's parent and legal representative.

Rachel's name was printed at the bottom.

The signature line was blank.

Her stomach tightened.

"Derek still needed me to sign something."

Ethan looked at the document.

"Apparently."

Rachel remembered the final argument before she left Chicago.

Derek had demanded that she sign a packet of papers.

When she refused, he threatened to take Sophie.

She had assumed the documents concerned custody.

Now she understood why he was desperate to find her.

He wasn't simply trying to bring his daughter home.

He wanted Rachel's signature.

Olivia turned toward the final page.

A handwritten note described the transfer as necessary before an upcoming financial audit.

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👉 Derek had created an account in Sophie's name and still needed Rachel's signature to move the money—and the approaching audit explained why he was suddenly desperate to bring her back.