Chapter 2: The Name She Never Expected to Hear
Mr.
Hale picked up on the first ring.
"Send everything to Detective Reyes," I said.
"Right now."
"Already done," he replied.
"The moment you called, the timer started."
I hung up and sat down slowly on the edge of the chair.
My dress was ruined.
My hands were still shaking.
But my mind was completely clear.
That was when my mother slipped back into the room.
"Claire, please." Her voice cracked.
"She didn't mean it.
You know how Vanessa is."
I looked at her for a long moment.
"I know exactly how Vanessa is," I said quietly.
"That's why I've been recording her for eight months."
My mother went pale.
Then the door swung open.
Vanessa walked back in, still smirking, holding a glass of champagne like nothing had happened.
She stopped when she saw my mother's face.
"What?" she said.
I stood up slowly and smoothed what was left of my dress.
"The designer's legal team just received the footage," I said.
"So did my lawyer.
So did one other person you really didn't want involved."
Vanessa's smile faded.
"What other person?"
I picked up my bouquet from the table.
"The one who cosigned your lease.
The one whose name is on every one of those fake invoices." I paused.
"Dad."
The champagne glass slipped in her hand.
---
What Vanessa said next — and what our father did when he found out — is something I never expected.
May you like
Click the link below to read the full story.
🔗
