Chapter 6 - The Woman Before Emma
The files revealed another name.
Natalie Cooper.
According to Ryan’s notebook, Natalie had dated him two years after Melissa left. Their relationship lasted eleven months.
Emma found Natalie through an old address and called her.
At first, Natalie refused to speak.
Then Emma mentioned Melissa.
There was a long silence.
“He told me she was dead,” Natalie said.
Natalie agreed to meet them at a café outside the city. She arrived wearing sunglasses and sat near the exit.
Ryan had persuaded her to combine finances after six months. He claimed it would help them buy a house. When she questioned several withdrawals, he accused her of being disloyal.
Natalie ended the relationship after discovering he had opened a credit account using her information.
She never reported him because he repaid part of the money and threatened to expose private messages.
“He said nobody would believe me,” Natalie explained. “He said Melissa was dead, and his own sister would confirm I was unstable.”
Chloe’s face filled with shame.
“I never even met you.”
“I know that now.”
Emma placed copies of the notebook pages on the table.
Natalie read them slowly.
Her hands began to shake when she saw her name.
After several minutes, she removed her sunglasses.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Tell the truth,” Emma said.
Natalie agreed to provide records and a formal statement.
Three women who had once believed they were alone now sat together with evidence connecting their experiences.
Melissa had the protection order.
Natalie had financial statements.
Emma had the notebook, attempted beneficiary change, and police report.
Chloe had witnessed Ryan’s behavior across all three relationships.
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Ryan had survived by separating every person who knew the truth.
Now they were finally speaking to one another.
