Chapter 7 - THE FALLOUT OF VANESSA
Julian was awaiting trial,
but Vanessa was a different story.
She tried to claim she was a victim too,
that Julian had lied to her about being single.
But the emails I found told a different story.
They showed her actively encouraging him to "bleed me dry."
They showed her suggesting ways to hide the money.
I decided she shouldn't get off easily.
I didn't want her in jail as much as I wanted her to be exposed.
I leaked the details of the "business" to the local news.
A story about a high-society scammer and his mistress,
trying to steal a family home.
The public reaction was swift and brutal.
Vanessa lost her job at the high-end boutique she worked at.
Her social circle evaporated overnight.
I saw her once,
months later,
at a grocery store.
She looked tired,
the cream-colored coat replaced by a cheap hoodie.
She saw me and tried to turn away,
but I walked right up to her.
"I hope it was worth it,"
I said,
repeating the words I sent to Julian.
She didn't say anything,
her eyes darting around in shame.
"The money is gone,"
I continued,
my voice steady.
"The house is mine.
And Julian is exactly where he belongs."
"You ruined my life,"
she hissed,
a spark of her old venom returning.
"No,"
I corrected her.
"I just stopped you from ruining mine.
There's a difference."
I walked away,
not feeling triumphant,
but feeling finished.
The chapter was closed.
The villains had been dealt with,
not through violence,
but through the truth.
The truth is a heavy thing,
May you like
and those who build their lives on lies,
can never hold its weight.
