Chapter five The proof is gone
786 Words
Vanessa's reaction kept replaying in her mind.
"You... told him about me?"
Not the answer of an innocent person.
The next morning, after Adrian left, Valeria went to the guest room.
She knocked once. "Vanessa."
She opened the door. Vanessa stood by the window with coffee. "I knew you'd come."
Valeria closed the door. "Were you involved with Ethan?"
Vanessa took a sip. "What if I was?"
Valeria's heart sank. "You were."
Vanessa smiled. "Yes. I dated Ethan."
The room went silent. "For almost a year," she said. "I never loved him. He was useful. When I got bored . I ended it."
"You..."
"I told him it was over. I didn't know he'd kill himself."
Tears filled Valeria's eyes. "How could you be so heartless ? Why didn't you tell Adrian?"
Vanessa laughed. " He hates you. That's easier."
Valeria stepped back. "What do you mean?"
"You've always had everything. Now it's your turn to lose."
Valeria felt sick."You let him believe it was .. and said nothing?"
"Why would I?" Vanessa whispered. "I like him."
Valeria's breath caught. "And the best part..." Vanessa smiled. "...he likes having me around."
Rage surged through Valeria. She raised her hand, then stopped.
"No. I'm not like you." She lowered it. "But Adrian deserves the truth."
Vanessa folded her arms. "Go tell him."
"I will."
"He'll call you a liar."
"We'll see."Valeria turned and walked out.
Valeria didn't wait. She drove straight to Knight Group
This time, no receptionist dared stop her.She pushed open the doors to Adrian's office without knocking.
He looked up from his desk. " What do you want ? "
"I spoke to Vanessa."
His expression didn't change. "So?"
"She admitted it."Valeria stepped forward, her heart pounding. "She admitted she dated Ethan. She admitted they were together for almost a year. She was the 'V' in the letter."
Adrian slowly put down his pen. "And?"
"And?" Valeria stared at him. "Did you hear what I just said?"
"I heard."
"Then why are you sitting there?"
"Because I'm waiting for the rest of your lie." Her heart dropped.
"It isn't a lie."
"You expect me to believe that after months of denying everything .your sister suddenly confessed?"
"She did."
"Did you record it?"
Valeria froze. "...No."
"Were there any witnesses?"
"No."
"So it's your word against hers." He stood and walked toward her. "Tell me, Valeria why would your own sister sacrifice herself for you?"
"She isn't. She's protecting herself."
Adrian smiled without humor."No. You're trying to save yourself."
Frustration overwhelmed her. She grabbed his arm. "Why won't you listen to me?"
He looked down at her hand then back into her eyes. "Because my brother is dead. And every time you speak. .you insult his memory."
Valeria let go. "You don't deserve the truth."
" What I don't deserve is another lie."
She took a deep breath. "Fine I f you won't believe me , I'll prove it."
Adrian scoffed "I'd like to see you try."
---
That evening Valeria returned to the mansion determined to get proof. She found Vanessa in the garden.
She slipped her phone into her pocket and quietly started recording.
Then she walked over. "You were right."
Vanessa looked up. "About what?"
"Adrian didn't believe me."
she smiled tryinphantly"I told you he wouldn't."
Valeria forced herself to stay calm. "So tell me something , do you ever feel guilty?"
Vanessa smiled. "For what?"
"For letting me suffer for something you did."
Vanessa looked around the empty garden then laughed. "A little."
The word made Valeria's pulse race , the recording was working. "But not enough to stop."
She took another step. "So you admit Ethan loved you."
"I've already admitted that."
"And you dumped him. You let Adrian blame me."
Vanessa shrugged. "I didn't ask him to. I just never corrected him."
Valeria could hardly believe it. "You're my sister."
Vanessa's smile disappeared. "No. You're my competition."
Before Valeria could answer a shadow fell across the garden. Adrian. . He had come home early.
Valerie removed the phone with a smile " Thank you . I have everything recorded "
Vanessa glared eyeing the phone . She suddenly reached forward and snatched the phone from Valeria smashing it onto the stone pathway. The screen shattered instantly.
" Nooo! Vanessa !". Valeria shouted
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "What happened here?"
Vanessa looked at the broken phone, then at Adrian tears welled in her eyes. "Adrian help me , she tried to force me to confess so she could record me . When I refused she started fighting . She's unhinged. . "
Valeria stared at the shattered pieces of her phone. Along with them the only proof she'd had was gone.
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