Chapter 13 - THE VISIT
Clara did not go alone.
She brought Detective Reyes and sat behind reinforced glass at the county jail.
Vanessa appeared in a tan uniform, hair pulled back, no makeup, no audience to perform for.
She picked up the phone.
“You brought a cop.”
“You pushed my daughter toward a staircase. You don't get privacy.”
Vanessa smiled without warmth.
“Still dramatic.”
Clara almost laughed.
“You know what I finally understand about you? You keep calling other people dramatic after you create disasters.”
Vanessa's smile faded.
Clara continued. “You stole millions. You forged my voice. You framed me. You risked Emma's life. And you still think the problem is how everyone reacts.”
For the first time, Vanessa looked tired.
“You took everything.”
“I took nothing from you.”
“Dad trusted you.”
“He trusted evidence.”
“Adrian trusted you.”
“He should have.”
That landed.
Vanessa leaned closer to the glass.
“I spent my whole life cleaning up Adrian's mistakes. Dad gave him the company anyway. Then you came along and everybody acted like you were the smartest person in the room.”
Clara stared at her.
“So you pushed a stroller.”
“I knew you'd catch it.”
“You didn't know.”
Vanessa looked away.
Clara's voice sharpened. “Say it.”
“Say what?”
“You didn't know Emma would be safe.”
Silence.
“You gambled with a six-month-old baby because you hated me.”
Vanessa's eyes finally filled with tears.
But Clara felt nothing for them.
“You wanted Adrian to choose you over me,” Clara said. “He did. For ten seconds.”
Vanessa looked up.
“And those ten seconds destroyed him.”
“No,” Clara said. “His choice hurt him. Your plan destroyed you.”
She put down the phone.
Vanessa slapped the glass with her palm.
“Wait!”
Clara stood.
“I'll plead guilty!” Vanessa shouted through the receiver she was still holding. “Tell them I'll take the deal!”
Clara walked toward the door.
Then Vanessa yelled one final thing.
“Ask Adrian what he was going to do before Olivia showed him the video!”
Clara stopped.
Slowly, she turned back.
May you like
Vanessa smiled again.
And Clara knew there was one last wound waiting at home.
