Chapter 8
Lauren tried to turn the story.
She posted online:
Imagine helping a friend through everything, only for her to destroy you over a misunderstanding.
No names.
But she used an old photo of us at the cabin.
Me asleep on the couch in the background.
The same photo.
My stolen face again.
This time, I did not stay silent.
Alicia drafted a cease-and-desist.
My mother said it needed more fire.
Alicia said courts preferred less fire.
We sent it.
Lauren deleted the post.
Then posted another.
Some people think they own every picture ever taken of them.
Alicia smiled.
“Excellent. Defiance in writing.”
The police found more victims.
A woman named Priya, whose photos Lauren used to message a divorced contractor.
A woman named Elise, whose vacation photos Lauren used on dating profiles.
A college friend named Rachel, whose baby shower photos had been used to create a fake “single mom” account for donations.
Lauren had been doing this for years.
Small scams.
Flirtation.
Gifts.
Cash apps.
Emergency fundraisers.
Hotel stays.
I was simply the one whose stolen face collided with a furious wife in a conference room.
Priya called me first.
“I thought I was the only idiot who trusted her.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
“Then what am I?”
I thought about it.
“Robbed.”
May you like
She cried.
So did I.
