Chapter 8 - THE BEST FRIEND WHO SOLD HER OUT
Samantha Pierce contacted Chloe three weeks later.
The message was short.
I need to talk. Please.
Chloe stared at the screen.
Then forwarded it to Naomi.
They discussed the risks.
Eventually, Samantha agreed to provide a written statement through counsel.
Her confession arrived two days later.
She admitted the affair.
She admitted helping Liam pressure Chloe into signing the documents.
She admitted knowing the marriage was part of a financial scheme.
But she claimed she had not known Liam intended to endanger Chloe's life.
Chloe read the statement twice.
Then laughed bitterly.
Samantha had been her best friend for twelve years.
And she'd helped turn her wedding into a trap.
The next day, Samantha appeared outside Chloe's apartment.
Chloe stopped.
“What are you doing here?”
Samantha looked exhausted.
“I needed to see you.”
Chloe crossed her arms.
“You could have called.”
“You wouldn't answer.”
“That's because I didn't want to speak to you.”
Samantha's eyes filled.
“I know.”
Chloe stared.
“Why?”
Samantha swallowed.
“Liam told me you were going to leave him.”
Chloe laughed.
“That's your excuse?”
“No.”
Samantha looked down.
“He told me he loved me.”
Silence.
Chloe felt something inside her go cold.
Samantha continued.
“He said the marriage was just business. That once the accounts were transferred, we'd leave together.”
Chloe stared.
“You helped him destroy me because he promised you a future?”
Samantha began crying.
“Yes.”
For a moment, Chloe wanted to scream.
Instead, she said:
“You knew my father had died.”
Samantha nodded.
“You held me while I cried.”
Her voice broke.
“You helped me choose my wedding dress.”
Samantha covered her face.
Chloe stepped back.
“I don't know who you are.”
Before leaving, Samantha whispered:
“Liam is planning to disappear.”
Chloe froze.
“What?”
“He has a private flight booked for tomorrow night.”
“Where?”
Samantha hesitated.
“Geneva.”
Chloe stared.
Then asked:
“Why are you telling me?”
Samantha's eyes filled.
“Because he told me I wasn't coming.”
Chloe almost laughed.
The cruelty of it was unbearable.
Liam had betrayed both women.
But Chloe refused to mistake Samantha's regret for innocence.
She stepped aside.
May you like
“Tell the investigators.”
Then she closed the door.
