Chapter 10 - THE FALL
Vanessa had lied to the wrong people.
The forged documents connected to my home were only the beginning.
Investigators found irregularities in her business finances.
Falsified invoices.
Unauthorized transfers.
False representations to creditors.
Her elegant image began collapsing.
The woman who had once walked through my kitchen as though she owned the world now spent hours answering questions in a government office.
When she finally returned home, she called me.
"You did this."
I sat quietly.
"No."
"You destroyed my life."
"No."
"You took everything from me."
I looked out at the garden.
"You tried to take everything from me first."
Her voice cracked.
"I loved Daniel."
I answered softly.
"Maybe."
"Then why would you do this?"
"Because love doesn't excuse what you did."
She said nothing.
I could hear her breathing.
Then she whispered, "Please."
For a moment, I heard the woman she had once been.
The charming young woman who brought flowers.
The woman who called me Mom.
I wanted to save her.
Then I remembered the forged signature.
"Vanessa," I said, "you made your choices."
May you like
The line went silent.
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