Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO THOUGHT SHE HAD WON
Sienna Vale called me on a Tuesday afternoon.
I almost didn't answer.
Then I decided I wanted to hear what she had to say.
"Khloe."
Her voice was sharp.
"Hello, Sienna."
"You've ruined Julian."
I looked toward the window.
"Julian made his own choices."
She laughed bitterly.
"You think you're better than me?"
"No."
"Then why are you doing this?"
I paused.
"Because company funds may have been misused, and because I'm ending my marriage."
She exhaled.
"You could have handled it privately."
I looked at Oliver sleeping in his bassinet.
"Julian left me in labor beside a highway."
Silence.
Then Sienna said:
"He told me you were exaggerating."
I closed my eyes.
"Of course he did."
Her voice softened.
"I didn't know you were bleeding."
I stared.
For a moment, I believed her.
Then she continued.
"But you didn't have to destroy everything."
The sympathy vanished.
I took a breath.
"Sienna, I'm not responsible for protecting Julian from the consequences of his decisions."
She said nothing.
I continued.
"If you received company money for services you didn't provide, you'll need to answer the investigators' questions."
Her voice hardened.
"You'll regret making me your enemy."
I looked at my son.
"No."
Then I ended the call.
Weeks later, the financial investigation uncovered more transactions.
Several consulting invoices appeared to be unsupported.
Some funds had been routed through companies connected to Sienna.
The authorities reviewed the evidence.
Civil claims were filed.
Julian's attorneys began negotiating repayment and cooperation.
Sienna's social circle disappeared.
Her invitations stopped.
Her carefully constructed image collapsed.
But I didn't watch.
I had a baby to raise.
May you like
A company to stabilize.
And a life to rebuild.
