Chapter 5 - THE OTHER WOMAN WHO HELD THE KEY
Vanessa Hale wasn't simply Ryan's girlfriend.
She was the financial adviser connected to the company that had used my identity.
I discovered that on a rainy Thursday afternoon while sitting in a Chicago legal-aid office with Lily asleep in her stroller.
Jennifer Brooks placed several publicly available corporate records on the table.
"Vanessa became a Meridian adviser eight months ago."
I stared at the photograph.
Blond hair.
Expensive suits.
Perfect smile.
The same woman Ryan had been posting pictures with while I struggled to find enough money for Lily's formula.
"What does she actually do?"
"She advises on investment transactions and corporate restructuring."
I looked down.
"Ryan always said she was just a colleague."
Jennifer didn't comment.
She didn't need to.
I thought of every late-night work dinner.
Every weekend meeting.
Every sudden business trip.
How many times had I asked whether there was someone else?
And how many times had Ryan looked me in the eyes and called me paranoid?
My phone vibrated.
A message from Ryan.
I know you're in Chicago.
My stomach tightened.
A second message appeared.
You need to bring Lily home.
Then another.
If you cooperate, I won't have to make things difficult.
I showed Jennifer.
She photographed the messages for the case file.
Then said, "Don't respond yet. We'll determine the appropriate legal response."
I nodded.
But my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
That evening, Sarah met me outside the office.
She hugged me tightly.
"You look exhausted."
"I am."
She glanced toward Lily.
"How's my favorite little troublemaker?"
I smiled.
"Teething."
Sarah laughed.
"At least somebody has a normal problem."
We walked toward her apartment.
It was small but warm.
A blue couch.
A kitchen barely large enough for two people.
And a guest room Sarah had cleared for us.
For the first time since leaving Texas, I felt safe enough to cry.
Sarah sat beside me.
"Em, there's something I need to tell you."
I looked up.
"What?"
"I didn't tell you everything about Ryan's call."
My stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
She looked ashamed.
"He didn't just ask whether you were coming."
I stared.
"What else?"
"He offered me money."
The room went silent.
"Money?"
Sarah nodded.
"Ten thousand dollars."
My breath caught.
"For what?"
"To tell him your flight details and where you planned to stay."
I felt sick.
"Did you?"
"No."
She reached for my hand.
"I told him to leave you alone."
Relief rushed through me.
But then Sarah continued.
"He said I was making a mistake."
My heart pounded.
"And?"
"He told me this wasn't about your marriage anymore."
I looked at her.
"What did he mean?"
Sarah's face went pale.
"He said if you reached Chicago with that photograph, people much more powerful than him would lose everything."
I stopped breathing.
May you like
Then Sarah whispered:
"Emily, Ryan knew you'd kept the bank statement."
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