Chapter 6 - THE SECRET MY WIFE CARRIED ALONE
For seven months, Corinne had been living with fear.
Not ordinary fear.
Not the fear of an uncertain marriage.
The fear that someone had access to her medical information, knew about our unborn child, and was watching her every move.
And during those seven months, I had been sleeping with Tessa Vaughn.
I couldn't escape the contrast.
My wife protecting our son.
Me protecting my affair.
The next morning, Detective Reed called.
"We need you to come downtown."
"Did something happen?"
"We've identified an additional witness."
At the police station, a young woman waited in an interview room.
She looked about twenty-five.
Her dark hair was tied back.
She wore a plain gray sweater.
Detective Reed introduced her.
"Rachel Ellis. Former administrative assistant at Hale Medical Services."
Rachel looked frightened.
"I worked for Melissa Hale."
I sat opposite her.
"What do you know?"
She swallowed.
"Your wife's medical records were accessed without authorization."
My stomach tightened.
"By Melissa?"
Rachel nodded.
"She asked me to retrieve Corinne Keaton's prenatal records."
"Why?"
"She said it was for a private family consultation."
"Did you believe her?"
"At first."
Rachel looked down.
"Then I found emails discussing your baby's expected delivery date."
I stared.
"What emails?"
She slid a printed document across the table.
It contained a conversation between Melissa and Tessa.
Tessa had written:
Once the baby is born, Corinne won't be able to fight us.
Melissa replied:
The medical complications should make the guardianship request easier.
My hands went numb.
They'd been planning to use Corinne's medical condition against her.
But how had they known she'd experience complications?
Rachel continued.
"Melissa had access to several medical professionals. She was gathering information about Corinne's risk factors."
I felt sick.
"Did they cause the complications?"
Rachel shook her head.
"I don't know. I haven't seen evidence of that."
Detective Reed nodded.
"We're investigating the unauthorized access and attempted use of medical information. We can't assume the medical emergency was deliberately caused."
I understood.
But the possibility terrified me.
Rachel reached into her bag.
"There's something else."
She produced a photograph.
It showed Tessa standing beside Victor Hale outside a hotel.
Nothing unusual.
Until I noticed the date.
Fourteen months earlier.
Before I began my affair with Tessa.
Rachel looked at me.
"They knew each other long before you met her."
I stared.
"What?"
"Victor arranged for Tessa to attend the charity gala where you first spoke."
I remembered that night perfectly.
Tessa standing beside the bar.
Laughing at something I'd said.
Complimenting my watch.
Asking about my developments.
I had believed she found me fascinating.
Now I understood something humiliating.
She had been introduced to me deliberately.
My affair wasn't simply an opportunity.
It was part of a plan.
Rachel lowered her voice.
"Victor wanted someone close enough to influence your decisions."
I felt cold.
"Tessa."
She nodded.
"And once Corinne became suspicious, they began discussing ways to remove her from the household."
I stared at the photograph.
May you like
Then Rachel said something that made my heart stop.
"Mr. Keaton, Tessa wasn't supposed to become your mistress. She was supposed to become your next wife."
