Chapter 3 - THE ASSISTANT WHO CONTROLLED EVERYTHING
Vanessa Reed had controlled my husband's calendar for four years.
Now it appeared she'd also controlled the company that owned the van responsible for my accident.
I sat across from Rachel while she examined the acquisition documents.
"Can Vincent claim he didn't know?" I asked.
"He may genuinely not know the operational details," she answered. "But that doesn't explain the transfer."
I looked down.
For years, Vanessa had been everywhere.
At business dinners.
On private flights.
Inside Vincent's office.
Sometimes she answered his personal phone before I could finish dialing.
She knew his passwords.
His travel schedule.
His dietary preferences.
And exactly how to make me feel unwelcome in my own marriage.
I'd once confronted Vincent about her.
He'd laughed.
"Claire, Vanessa is indispensable."
I remembered my answer.
"So was I, once."
He hadn't even looked up from his laptop.
Now the memory made my chest ache.
Meanwhile, across Chicago, Vincent Moretti was discovering that his wife had disappeared.
His housekeeper, Mrs. Alvarez, stood inside the master bedroom holding my white envelope.
"She left this, sir."
Vincent took it impatiently.
Then read my note.
His expression changed.
You no longer need to reserve fifteen minutes for me.
He looked toward the closet.
Half my clothes were gone.
My jewelry box sat open.
Our wedding photograph had been placed facedown on the dresser.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
Mrs. Alvarez looked at him.
"I don't know, sir."
Vincent reached for his phone.
"Vanessa, locate my wife."
His assistant answered immediately.
"Of course, Mr. Moretti."
Then she added:
"She may be upset about yesterday. You know how emotional she gets."
Vincent frowned.
"What exactly happened yesterday?"
Vanessa hesitated.
"She was at the hospital."
"I know that."
"She mentioned a car accident."
His expression hardened.
"You said it wasn't serious."
"She was discharged."
Vincent looked at the note again.
Something about the handwriting bothered him.
It wasn't angry.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was final.
"Get me her medical information," he ordered.
Vanessa paused.
"Sir, that may require her authorization."
"Then contact her attorney."
For the first time, Vincent seemed to understand that he couldn't simply demand access to his wife's life.
But Vanessa was already thinking about something else.
She ended the call and immediately dialed a private number.
A man answered.
"Is she gone?"
"Yes."
"Does Moretti know about the pregnancy?"
Vanessa's expression tightened.
"No."
"Good."
The man exhaled.
"Then we still have time."
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Daniel went to the Hart woman's house last night."
Silence.
Then the man cursed.
"Your brother is becoming a problem."
"I'll handle him."
But before she could disconnect, the man said something that made her go completely still.
"Remember, Vanessa. Claire wasn't supposed to survive the crash."
Her breathing stopped.
"What?"
"You heard me."
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Then he added:
"The baby was the reason we needed her gone."
