He Accused Me Of Stealing But I Heard The Truth Chapter 28
The day before the press conference, Derek’s lawyer sent my attorney a written request. He wanted to publicly correct the lies Rachel had spread and asked which facts I would consent to having disclosed. I only agreed to the facts already in court filings and stipulated that he could not reveal Maisie’s specific diagnosis.
On the third day after Rachel’s arrest, Derek held a press conference.
He didn’t use the statement his PR department had prepared.
He stood at the podium looking gaunt and exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept in days.
“Six years ago, I believed false evidence provided by my then-personal assistant, Rachel Lane. I concluded that my former fiancée, Erin Collins, had taken a large sum of money and left me. I never looked for her.”
“Recently, I donated a significant amount of money to a children and family aid center. I thought that proved I cared about children. But on that same day, in that same center, my own daughter reached for someone else’s leftover food because she was starving.”
The room erupted in a volley of camera flashes.
“Erin never received the relocation funds I approved. What she received was a cash envelope that wouldn’t even cover a legitimate medical consultation. She was taken to an illegal clinic and nearly died there.”
“She escaped, gave birth to our daughter, Maisie, and raised her entirely alone.”
His voice dropped, but every word was chillingly clear.
“I never verified a single fact. I used money and power to try and force her to sign away custody. I even made her beg me for help while our daughter was critically ill.”
“I have no right to ask for forgiveness. I am making this public only because she should not have to bear the humiliation for my mistakes any longer.”