Chapter 9: The Call From the Woman Who Betrayed Me
Nobody moved.
My phone continued ringing.
Angela’s name glowing on the screen.
Richard looked at me.
“Answer it.””
I hesitated.
“What if she knows?””
“She already knows.””
He was right.
Angela always seemed one step ahead.
I pressed accept.
“Hello?””
For a few seconds, there was only silence.
Then her voice came through.
“Are you angry?””
My hands tightened.
“You ruined my family.””
Angela laughed softly.
“No, Vanessa.””
Her voice was calm.
“I showed you what was already broken.””
I looked at Richard.
He motioned for me to keep her talking.
“You used me.””
“I helped you.””
“You stole from Lily.””
“I moved money.””
“From a child.””
Angela sighed.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Understand what?””
“That everything I did was because of you.””
I felt sick.
“Because of me?””
“Yes.””
She sounded almost disappointed.
“You were never going to admit how much you resented Lily.””
Richard’s expression changed.
Because that was the part that hurt most.
There was truth mixed with lies.
Angela knew exactly where to attack.
“I made mistakes,” I said quietly.
“Yes.””
She paused.
“But I made them useful.””
My stomach dropped.
Richard whispered:
“She’s recording this.””
I nodded slightly.
Angela continued.
“You know what your problem was, Vanessa?””
I didn’t answer.
“You wanted to be loved so badly that you ignored what was happening around you.””
My eyes burned.
Because maybe that was true.
But she had taken that weakness and turned it into a weapon.
“You’re going to confess,” Angela said.
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“You’re going to tell Richard you planned everything.””
“I didn’t.””
“You did enough.””
She sounded confident.
“People already believe you.””
I looked at Richard.
He was listening carefully.
“Why are you calling me?””
Angela laughed.
“Because I wanted to offer you a way out.””
I almost laughed.
“After everything?””
“Yes.””
“What kind of way out?””
“Take responsibility.””
Silence.
Then she said:
“Say you acted alone.””
My blood ran cold.
“You want me to protect you.””
“I want you to save yourself.””
“No.””
Angela’s voice became colder.
“Then you lose everything.””
The call ended.
Richard immediately took my phone.
“She wanted a confession.””
I nodded.
“She thinks I’ll take the fall.””
Michael looked at the email again.
“But why?””
Richard stared at the documents.
“Because if Vanessa is blamed, Angela gets access to the trust.””
He looked at Lily.
“She gets the money.””
A quiet voice came from behind us.
“Daddy?””
Everyone turned.
Lily was standing in the doorway.
She had heard enough.
“Is Angela trying to take Mommy away?””
Nobody answered.
Because the truth was too painful.
Richard walked toward her.
“No one is taking anyone away.””
But Lily looked at me.
“Are you leaving?””
The question destroyed me.
“No.””
I knelt down.
“I’m not leaving.””
She looked at me carefully.
“Even if Daddy is mad?””
Tears filled my eyes.
“Yes.””
Richard watched us.
Then his phone buzzed.
He checked the message.
His expression changed instantly.
“What happened?”” I asked.
He turned the screen around.
It was from his attorney.
*Emergency custody hearing scheduled for tomorrow morning.*
My heart sank.
“Tomorrow?””
Richard nodded.
Then another message arrived.
A court filing attachment.
He opened it.
The first page loaded.
And at the top was a statement from Angela’s lawyer.
I read the accusation.
And my blood went cold.
Because it wasn’t just about money anymore.
Angela had filed for temporary custody of Lily.
Using my mistakes as proof.
May you like
And the final line said:
*The child’s safety requires immediate removal from the current household.*
