Chapter 7 - Vivienne’s Signature
Vivienne looked at the document.
“That means nothing.”
Lena raised an eyebrow.
“It means you paid a private consulting firm that later produced documents describing Claire as unstable.”
“They advise wealthy families.”
“About what?”
“Risk.”
I laughed.
“Was I the risk?”
Vivienne turned toward me.
“You were unpredictable.”
“I was pregnant.”
“You threatened divorce.”
“Because your son was hurting me.”
Her expression hardened.
“You kept provoking him.”
There it was.
The sentence abusers depended on.
You made him.
You caused it.
You knew how he was.
Lena remained calm.
“Did you tell Meridian to prepare the statement?”
“No.”
“Did Adrian?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you know the statement existed before the gala?”
Vivienne hesitated.
“Yes.”
Julian closed his eyes.
“Mom.”
She snapped.
“Do not judge me.”
“I was protecting the company.”
Julian stared at her.
“From Claire?”
“From scandal.”
I looked at Nora sleeping in Rachel’s arms.
That was the first time I understood Vivienne completely.
She did not care whether Adrian was innocent.
She cared whether anyone knew he was guilty.
Lena collected the documents.
Then she found a second contract.
Meridian was supposed to arrange my admission to a private psychiatric facility immediately after the gala.
An ambulance had been reserved.
A physician had been scheduled.
My room was already paid for.
I stared at the date.
“They expected me to sign.”
Rachel nodded.
“And if you refused?”
Nobody answered.
Then Lena found the transportation note.
PATIENT MAY RESIST.
FAMILY AUTHORIZES SECURE TRANSFER.
My skin went cold.
They had prepared to remove me whether I agreed or not.
Vivienne finally looked uneasy.
“I never approved force.”
Lena placed the contract in an evidence bag.
“Your signature may disagree.”
Vivienne stepped backward.
For the first time, she seemed to understand she might not simply explain this away.
Then Julian found one last envelope.
It was addressed to me.
Henry’s handwriting.
May you like
CLAIRE - IF VIVIENNE SAYS SHE DIDN’T KNOW, PLAY THIS.
Vivienne stopped breathing.
