Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SOLD MY WIFE'S LIFE
Julian Cross was arrested three days later.
He had been hiding in a warehouse owned by one of his shell companies.
Detective Ellis called me at dawn.
"Mr. Hale, we have him."
I sat up.
"Is he talking?"
"Not yet."
"Can I see him?"
"No."
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
For years, I'd expected doors to open whenever I demanded it.
Now the only door I cared about was Claire's hospital room.
And she didn't want me inside.
Investigators recovered documents from Julian's warehouse.
They showed a scheme involving stolen shipping revenue, falsified contracts, and payments to corrupt medical professionals.
Nathaniel Pierce had been working with Julian for years.
He had supplied prescription medications and helped conceal fraudulent medical records.
The sedative used against Claire had been obtained through that network.
The evidence also showed that Julian had planned to frame Claire's death as a suicide.
He'd arranged for the prescription bottle to be placed beside her.
He'd forged messages suggesting she was depressed.
And he'd prepared financial documents implying she had stolen money from Vincent's companies.
I stared at the report.
"Why?"
Ellis looked at me.
"Because your wife discovered the scheme."
I swallowed.
"She tried to tell me."
"Yes."
"And I ignored her."
Ellis didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Vanessa agreed to cooperate.
She admitted Julian had told her Claire would soon be out of Vincent's life.
She also admitted receiving money through companies Julian controlled.
Her attorney arranged a formal statement.
Investigators would determine whether she had knowingly participated in the attempted murder or merely helped conceal related financial misconduct.
I wanted to hate her.
I did hate what she'd done.
But I couldn't pretend I was innocent.
I'd brought Vanessa into my marriage.
I'd allowed Julian to manipulate me.
And I'd treated Claire's concerns as inconveniences.
The attack was Julian's crime.
But the loneliness Claire endured before it was mine.
That afternoon, Rachel called.
"Claire asked about you."
My heart jumped.
"What did she say?"
"She wants to know whether you're cooperating with the investigation."
I swallowed.
"Tell her yes."
Rachel paused.
"Vincent, she also asked for a lawyer."
I closed my eyes.
"Okay."
"She may want to discuss separation."
I nodded, though Rachel couldn't see me.
"Help her get whoever she needs."
That evening, I met with my attorney.
He was a careful man named Samuel Price.
He listened as I explained what Claire wanted.
Then asked, "Are you prepared for a divorce?"
I stared at the desk.
"No."
He nodded.
"Then we should discuss your options."
I looked up.
"My options?"
"Property agreements. Negotiations. Privacy protections."
I shook my head.
"No."
He frowned.
"Vincent—"
"She's not a business deal."
Samuel went silent.
I continued.
"If Claire wants to leave, I won't use money or lawyers to trap her."
He studied me.
Then nodded.
"Understood."
That night, I wrote Claire a letter.
Not a defense.
Not an excuse.
Just the truth.
Claire,
I betrayed you.
I dismissed your fears.
I made you feel alone in a marriage where you should have felt safe.
You tried to warn me, and I refused to listen.
I cannot undo what happened.
I cannot ask you to forgive me.
But I can stop lying.
I will cooperate with the investigation. I will accept responsibility for my choices. And whatever you decide about our marriage, I will respect it.
I'm sorry.
Vincent.
I sealed the envelope.
Then placed it on my desk.
May you like
For the first time in my life, I didn't know whether the woman I loved would ever read my words.
And I understood that uncertainty was something I had earned.
