Chapter 16 - Vanessa learns the truth
Vanessa learned at the wedding.
That fact became clear quickly.
She left the ballroom before police finished interviewing everyone.
The next morning her attorney contacted mine.
Vanessa wanted:
A copy of the basic court docket.
Confirmation Emily was alive.
Confirmation Ryan’s divorce was legally entered.
No contact with Ryan except through counsel.
Three days later Vanessa called me.
I almost did not answer.
She said:
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
She started crying.
“He told me Emily died from complications after long-term care.”
“When?”
“Nine months ago.”
“Did you ask for details?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“Private cremation. Her family didn’t want publicity.”
I laughed bitterly.
“My family?”
“I thought you hated him and stayed away.”
There.
Ryan had built separate stories.
To me:
I was destabilizing Lily.
To Vanessa:
Emily died and her brother withdrew.
To Lily:
Mommy is gone.
None of the lies had to survive contact with each other.
So Ryan prevented contact.
Vanessa filed to annul the marriage? Because marriage had happened that day? It was a ceremony and license may have been signed.
She chose divorce rather than annulment because the marriage itself was legally valid after Ryan’s prior divorce.
She moved out within seventy-two hours.
No reconciliation.
She also provided investigators with texts.
Not because she became a hero.
May you like
Because she had been deceived too.
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