Chapter 3: The Woman Who Paid for His Silence
"Tell me what she means," Nia demanded.
Vanessa clutched the ultrasound photograph against her chest.
"I don't know what she's talking about."
Evelyn gave a bitter laugh.
"You signed the payment authorization yourself."
"That isn't true!"
Rachel placed a copy of the financial records on the table.
"The payment came from an account associated with Vanessa Reed's consulting company. The clinic received it three years ago, shortly before Adrian underwent his procedure."
Nia looked at Vanessa.
"Why would you pay for his treatment three years before your affair supposedly began?"
Vanessa's eyes darted toward Adrian.
He said nothing.
"Answer me," Nia insisted.
Vanessa finally whispered, "Because Adrian told me he needed help."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Nia felt the floor shift beneath her feet.
"You knew him before the affair?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
"Five years."
The revelation struck harder than the wine had.
Five years meant Adrian had known Vanessa long before Nia had discovered their relationship. Their affair might have lasted two years, but their connection went back much further.
Adrian seized Vanessa's arm.
"Stop talking."
She ripped herself free.
"You don't get to tell me what to do anymore!"
Then she turned toward Nia.
"Adrian told me he was investing in a medical technology company. He said the clinic needed private funding, and my father had connections in that industry. I signed some documents. I didn't know what they were really for."
"That's a convenient story," Adrian snapped.
Vanessa's face twisted with anger.
"You told me your marriage was already over. You said Nia was staying because of your money!"
Nia stared at him.
Adrian had spent years making her believe their marriage was built on trust. Meanwhile, he had been telling another woman that she was nothing more than a financial burden.
Rachel interrupted.
"There's another issue. The company that paid the clinic received money from an account connected to the Cole Foundation."
Evelyn stiffened.
"That's impossible."
"The transfers are documented."
The Cole Foundation funded medical research and children's hospitals throughout New York. Adrian had recently been named its executive director, a promotion celebrated at the very gala where Vanessa had humiliated Nia.
Nia understood why Evelyn looked frightened.
This was no longer just an affair.
It was a potential financial scandal involving a charity.
Adrian turned toward Rachel.
"You have no idea what you're accusing me of."
"Then cooperate with an independent audit."
"Absolutely not."
His immediate refusal answered more questions than any confession could have.
Nia placed the documents on the table.
"I'm freezing my access to every joint account until my attorney determines what belongs to me."
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"You can't do that."
"Watch me."
Rachel nodded. "I'll file the necessary applications first thing tomorrow."
Evelyn grabbed Nia's wrist.
"If you expose this family, you'll destroy innocent people who depend on our foundation."
Nia gently pulled away.
"Then perhaps you should have thought about them before using the foundation to hide your son's secrets."
For the first time, Evelyn had no response.
Then Vanessa looked down at her ultrasound photograph.
Her face changed.
"Adrian," she whispered, "there's something I haven't told you."
He turned sharply.
"What now?"
Vanessa raised her eyes.
"The clinic that confirmed my pregnancy wasn't the clinic you told me to visit."
Adrian went completely still.
She swallowed hard.
"And the doctor who signed my report called me this afternoon. He said the original test results had been switched."
Rachel slowly closed the envelope.
Nia looked at Adrian.
"Whose baby are you claiming this is?"
May you like
Vanessa began to cry.
"I don't know anymore."
