Chapter 15 - The Woman Beside Me
Rachel had been beside me through almost everything.
Claire’s funeral.
My grief.
My company disputes.
My custody paperwork.
Victoria’s entry into my life.
That realization made me feel sick.
She had not simply watched my life fall apart.
She had helped arrange the pieces.
Police searched Rachel’s house.
Her office was empty.
Her laptop was gone.
Her husband claimed he knew nothing.
He looked devastated.
Grace found something worse.
Victoria had first entered my life at a charity fundraiser.
Rachel had invited her.
I had forgotten that detail.
Rachel introduced us.
Rachel encouraged me when I hesitated about dating again.
Rachel told me Noah needed a maternal presence.
Rachel recommended the therapist whose records were later leaked.
Every road led back to her.
Then Victoria requested to speak from custody.
I agreed only because police would be present.
She looked exhausted when I entered the interview room.
“Rachel ran?”
“Yes.”
Victoria laughed without humor.
“She always said she was smarter than Malcolm.”
“What was her role?”
“She handled the legal structure.”
“You knew?”
“Not at first.”
“When did you find out?”
“Three months ago.”
“Why stay?”
Victoria looked at me like the answer was obvious.
“Because by then I was already involved.”
“You could have walked away.”
“And lose everything?”
I stared at her.
“You hurt my son for money.”
Her face changed.
“That wasn’t part of the plan.”
“You left bruises on him.”
“He wouldn’t listen.”
I stood.
Victoria suddenly leaned forward.
“Rachel was the one who wanted Claire dead.”
I stopped.
“Explain.”
“Claire discovered Rachel had created the false legal pathway into Noah’s trust.”
“Malcolm wanted to scare Claire.”
“Ethan wanted the records back.”
“But Rachel knew Claire could identify her.”
My stomach tightened.
“Was Rachel at the crash?”
“No.”
“Then how did Claire die?”
Victoria shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I only know what Ethan told me.”
“What did he tell you?”
“That Malcolm left Claire alive.”
Grace looked toward Victoria.
“And then?”
“Someone else arrived.”
“Who?”
Victoria swallowed.
“Rachel.”
The room became silent.
“She followed Malcolm?”
“No.”
Victoria looked at me.
“She was waiting nearby.”
I remembered Malcolm saying he did not kill Claire.
Maybe that was the twisted truth.
Victoria continued.
“Ethan said Rachel convinced Malcolm to leave.”
“Then she stayed with Claire.”
“What happened afterward?”
“Ethan never knew.”
I leaned closer.
“But you do.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with fear.
“Rachel told me once.”
“Told you what?”
“She said Claire was conscious when she arrived.”
My hands tightened.
“And?”
Victoria whispered.
“Claire begged her to call you.”
My vision blurred.
“Did she?”
“No.”
“What did Rachel do?”
Victoria looked down.
“She took Claire’s phone.”
May you like
“She took the evidence Claire had on her.”
“And then she walked away.”
