Chapter 12 - Vanessa's Decision
Vanessa disappeared for two days.
Claire assumed she never wanted to see any Bennett again.
She was wrong.
On Monday morning, Vanessa arrived at Rebecca's office carrying a binder.
"I think you need this."
Claire looked at her.
They had not spoken privately since the basement.
Vanessa sat across the conference table.
"I owe you an apology."
Claire did not respond.
Vanessa continued.
"I believed him."
"I know."
"I believed things about you that weren't true."
"You didn't know me."
"That doesn't excuse all of it."
Claire studied her.
Vanessa looked exhausted.
No makeup.
Hair pulled into a loose knot.
Nothing like the polished woman Claire had seen through the coffee shop window.
Vanessa placed the binder on the table.
"Daniel asked me to keep records for a property project."
Rebecca opened it.
Invoices.
Loan estimates.
Emails.
Photographs of Margaret's house.
Wedding venue deposits.
Claire saw a reservation.
April 18.
Bride.
Vanessa Cole.
Groom.
Daniel Bennett.
Claire stared at it.
Vanessa looked ashamed.
"He told me the divorce hearing was scheduled for January."
"There was no divorce filing."
"I know that now."
Claire asked the question she had avoided.
"Did you know he was sleeping with me?"
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"No."
Claire looked away.
"He told me you had separate bedrooms."
"We didn't."
"I know."
Rebecca turned another page.
"What's this?"
Vanessa leaned forward.
"A contractor estimate."
"For what?"
"Renovating Margaret's basement."
Claire felt her shoulder ache at the word.
Vanessa continued.
"Daniel wanted to remove the laundry chute."
Rebecca looked up.
"When?"
"After the wedding."
Claire stared at the estimate date.
Two months before the incident.
She almost laughed.
Daniel had planned every part of his future except the part where Claire survived it.
Vanessa removed her phone.
"There are messages too."
Rebecca nodded.
"Send copies."
Vanessa hesitated.
"There's one you should hear."
She played a voicemail.
Daniel's voice.
Once Claire signs, everything is clean. She gets a settlement, Mom gets peace, and we get our house. Stop feeling guilty. Claire had years to make the marriage work.
Vanessa stopped playback.
Claire stared at the table.
Vanessa whispered.
"He made it sound like you were refusing a generous settlement."
"What settlement?"
"Seventy-five thousand."
Claire almost laughed.
"From money he stole?"
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"I didn't know."
Claire looked at her.
"I believe you."
Vanessa seemed surprised.
Claire continued.
"That doesn't mean I like you."
A small, sad smile crossed Vanessa's face.
"Fair."
"But I believe you."
Vanessa nodded.
Then she opened another folder.
"There is more."
Inside were photographs of rings.
A venue contract.
A honeymoon itinerary.
And a document titled prenuptial agreement.
Rebecca opened it.
Daniel's listed assets included Margaret's house.
The family trust.
Two investment accounts that did not exist.
And Claire's current home.
Vanessa frowned.
"I never understood that one."
Claire leaned closer.
The marital home was listed as Daniel Bennett separate property.
Value six hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Claire stared.
Her condo proceeds had funded the down payment.
Her name was on the deed.
Daniel planned to represent the house as solely his in his next marriage.
Rebecca leaned back.
"He wasn't planning to divorce you fairly."
Claire looked at her.
Rebecca continued.
"He was planning to erase your ownership history."
Vanessa whispered.
"Can he do that?"
"Not legally."
Claire thought of the basement.
"He wasn't very interested in legal."
Vanessa closed the binder.
Then she looked directly at Claire.
"I'll testify."
Claire held her gaze.
"You understand what that means?"
"Yes."
"He'll say you were involved."
"I know."
"He'll blame you."
May you like
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"He already did."
