Chapter 15 - The Lowest Point
Lydia Monroe had retired.
She lived quietly outside Palm Springs.
When Detective Ruiz contacted her, Lydia refused to discuss Julian’s therapy records without proper legal authorization.
But she did confirm one fact.
Julian had never been diagnosed with paranoia.
That alone damaged the story Vanessa had repeated for six years.
Then something unexpected happened.
A former employee from Ethan’s company came forward.
His name was Daniel Frost.
He claimed Ethan had a temper.
He claimed Ethan pressured employees.
He claimed Ethan sometimes became “obsessive.”
Vanessa’s attorney used the statement immediately.
The implication was obvious.
Perhaps Ethan was the unstable one.
Perhaps he was inventing a case against his wife.
The press loved it.
Headlines shifted.
Bennett Family War Deepens.
Former Employee Questions Billionaire Developer’s Behavior.
Ethan’s board requested a meeting.
For the first time, his private crisis threatened his company.
Maya warned him.
“Vanessa may be trying to overwhelm you.”
“It’s working.”
At home, Sophie became withdrawn again.
She had heard another parent mention Vanessa at preschool.
“Are people mad at Daddy?”
“No.”
“Is Vanessa coming back?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
Ethan hesitated for half a second.
Sophie noticed.
She always noticed.
“I am doing everything I can to keep you safe.”
She began crying.
“I don’t want court.”
He lifted her.
“You do not have to go into court.”
“I don’t want everyone talking.”
“I know.”
That night, Ethan sat alone in the blue room.
He considered selling the house.
He considered resigning temporarily.
He considered paying Vanessa simply to disappear.
Then Maria found him.
“You look like you’re giving up.”
“I’m thinking.”
“You are thinking like she wants.”
Ethan looked at her.
Maria sat across from him.
“She makes everyone tired.”
He said nothing.
“That is how she wins.”
Ethan understood.
Vanessa did not need everyone to believe her.
She only needed them exhausted enough to stop fighting.
Then Maria pointed toward the shelf.
“Why did she keep that?”
Ethan followed her gaze.
A children’s book.
The Moon and the Little Fox.
Sophie’s favorite.
Nothing unusual.
Except Vanessa had thrown away most of Sophie’s old books months earlier.
Ethan picked it up.
Something shifted inside the spine.
May you like
He opened the back cover.
A tiny memory card fell onto his palm.
