Chapter 11 - Vanessa Knocked on My Door
Three months later, Vanessa asked to meet.
Her baby had been born.
A girl.
Sophie.
Daniel was paying child support through a court-monitored arrangement.
Vanessa had ended their romantic relationship.
"I didn't come to ask for money," she said immediately.
"Good opening."
She smiled nervously.
"I came to apologize."
We sat at a café.
No lawyers.
No husbands.
Just two women who had been lied to differently by the same man.
"I knew he was married," she said.
"Yes."
"I believed him when he said you knew."
"That was convenient."
"I know."
She looked down.
"I wanted to believe it."
That mattered.
Not innocence.
Accountability.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
She blinked.
"That's it?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know."
"Neither do I."
We laughed awkwardly.
Then she told me she had returned to work.
Different company.
Different city.
Her savings were partially recovered.
Sophie was healthy.
Before leaving, Vanessa said, "Daniel talks about you."
"I'd rather not know."
She nodded.
"Fair."
Then paused.
"For what it's worth, he finally understands the money wasn't the worst thing he lost."
May you like
I didn't ask what she meant.
I already knew.
