Chapter 13 - The File Named Marianne
Claire continued examining her copied records with investigators.
One folder was named MARIANNE.
Her mother’s name.
Inside were photographs of Elias’s home, his daily schedule and old medical documents relating to Marianne’s illness.
Ryan had collected them months earlier.
Claire felt physically sick.
“He planned this before I left.”
Elias read the files in silence.
Ryan had researched the most painful period of their family’s life. He knew which hospital had treated Marianne, when Elias visited the cemetery and which days Claire was likely to be emotionally vulnerable.
Claire covered her mouth.
“He used Mom.”
Elias closed the laptop.
“He used information about her. He never knew her.”
“I told him everything.”
“You trusted someone you loved.”
“How can you be so calm?”
“I’m not calm.”
His voice trembled for the first time.
“But my anger cannot become another thing you have to manage.”
Claire began crying.
Elias sat beside her.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Ryan had expected the folder to divide them.
Instead, it revealed the scale of his planning.
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Detective Ortiz used the surveillance files to request additional legal protection for Claire and Elias.
The judge approved it that afternoon.
