My Husband Gave His Mistress My Anniversary Seat—Until Her Husband Arrived With an Envelope That Made Them Both Panic

“Your father isn't the only person Marcus has been hiding from you.””

I read the message on Daniel's phone again.

“What does she mean?””

Daniel shook his head.

“I don't know. But Vanessa wouldn't risk contacting you unless she had something important.””

Detective Maddox stepped between us.

“Nobody is meeting her alone. If she's willing to cooperate, she'll speak with us present.””

Daniel called Vanessa.

She answered immediately.

“Daniel?””

“Where are you?””

“I can't tell you that.””

“You disappeared without telling anyone. Do you understand how suspicious that looks?””

Her voice trembled.

“I'm not the one who should be worried about looking suspicious.””

“Vanessa, stop playing games. What do you want?””

“I want protection. And I want Lauren to hear everything.””

Daniel glanced at me.

“She's here.””

Vanessa went silent.

Then she whispered, “Is the detective there?””

“Yes.””

“Good. There's a diner off Interstate 85, near the old shopping center. I'll be in the parking lot. Come with the police.””

Detective Maddox took the phone.

“Vanessa, this is Detective Maddox. Stay where you are. Do not approach anyone carrying documents or personal belongings you cannot identify. Officers will meet you.””

The call ended.

Forty minutes later, we arrived at the diner.

Vanessa was sitting inside a booth near the back window. She wore a baseball cap and an oversized jacket. Her eyes moved constantly toward the entrance.

When she saw Daniel, she stood.

“Please don't come closer.””

Daniel stopped.

“Vanessa, what happened?””

She looked at me.

“Lauren, I'm sorry.””

I didn't answer.

She pulled a thick folder from her handbag.

“Everything is in here.””

Detective Maddox sat opposite her.

“Start from the beginning.””

Vanessa took a shaky breath.

“Marcus and I met through a property investment group. At first, he said he was unhappy in his marriage. He told me you were emotionally unstable and that your mother's house was supposed to be sold years ago.””

I folded my arms.

“And you believed him?””

She looked down.

“I wanted to believe him.””

Daniel laughed bitterly.

“So you decided to become his mistress?””

Vanessa flinched.

“I know what I did. I'm not asking you to forgive me.””

She opened the folder.

Inside were printed emails, financial statements, and several photographs.

“Marcus told me he needed Lauren declared mentally incompetent. He said the house was worth millions, and he wanted to sell it before anyone discovered the trust.””

Detective Maddox examined the documents.

“Who was helping him?””

“Richard Bennett. And another person.””

She removed a photograph.

It showed Marcus shaking hands with a man outside a private medical office.

I recognized the man immediately.

Dr. Alan Pierce.

My doctor.

Vanessa continued.

“Marcus said Dr. Pierce would provide the medical records needed to establish that Lauren wasn't capable of managing her affairs. He also said someone would make sure she kept taking the medication that caused her dizziness.””

My stomach tightened.

“Did you know what was in it?””

Vanessa nodded reluctantly.

“Marcus showed me the bottles once. He said they were prescribed medication and that the dosage would keep you sleepy.””

“Did he tell you who prescribed them?””

“No.””

“Did you ever see the prescription?””

She shook her head.

Daniel leaned forward.

“Then why did you stay involved?””

Vanessa looked at him.

“Because Marcus promised me the insurance money.””

Daniel stared at her.

“You were willing to let another woman die for money?””

Tears filled her eyes.

“I know how that sounds.””

“It sounds exactly like what it was.””

She lowered her head.

Detective Maddox took the folder.

“What's supposed to happen on Sunday?””

Vanessa looked toward the window.

“Marcus arranged a medical emergency. He wanted Lauren to appear confused and disoriented before a scheduled property meeting. Then he planned to take her somewhere private, where no one would question why she suddenly became seriously ill.””

I felt sick.

“What kind of emergency?””

Vanessa hesitated.

“He told me he had access to medication that could cause a severe reaction. He said it would look like an accidental medical complication.””

Detective Maddox's expression hardened.

“Did he specify the substance?””

“No. But he said the insurance company wouldn't investigate if the death appeared consistent with her existing medical problems.””

Daniel stood abruptly.

“I need to get out of here.””

Vanessa reached for his sleeve.

“Daniel, please.””

He pulled away.

“You sat in my house, looked me in the eyes, and lied.””

“I know.””

“You let me believe we were building a life together.””

“I know.””

“Then you helped another man plan his wife's death.””

Vanessa started crying.

“I was going to stop it.””

Daniel shook his head.

“You were going to stop it when the money was already yours.””

Detective Maddox interrupted.

“Vanessa, do you have direct evidence of the planned incident?””

Vanessa nodded.

She pulled out a small digital recorder.

“Marcus recorded one of his conversations with Bennett. He thought it was funny that I kept asking questions. He didn't know I was recording him too.””

She placed it on the table.

Detective Maddox listened through her headphones.

A man's voice came through.

Marcus.

“Sunday has to be the end. After that, Lauren won't be a problem anymore.””

Another man answered.

Richard Bennett.

“And the insurance?””

“Vanessa gets her share. I get the property. Everyone gets what they want.””

Then Marcus laughed.

“Except Lauren.””

I felt my fingers go numb.