Chapter 5: The Woman in Red Wasn't## Chapter 5: The Woman in Red Wasn't Just His Mistress
By Just His Mistress
By the time I reached the hotel lobby, my phone had vibrated eleven times.
Seven the time I reached the hotel lobby, my phone had vibrated eleven times.
Seven missed calls from Ethan.
Three messages from his assistant.
And one message from a number I didn't recognize.
**You need to know what missed calls from Ethan.
Three messages from his assistant.
And one message from a number I didn't recognize.
*You need to know what Vanessa has been telling people about you.*
I stopped walking.
Outside the glass doors, cars moved through the evening traffic, their headlights reflecting across Vanessa has been telling people about you.**
I stopped walking.
Outside the glass doors, cars moved through the evening traffic, their headlights reflecting across the wet pavement. A light rain had begun falling, and the hotel staff were helping guests into waiting vehicles.
I read the message again.
Then I checked the number.
No name.
No photograph.
Nothing the wet pavement. A light rain had begun falling, and the hotel staff were helping guests into waiting vehicles.
I read the message again.
Then I checked the number.
No name.
No photograph.
Nothing to tell me who had sent it.
My first instinct was to call Ethan and demand an explanation. My second was to delete the message and pretend I had never seen it.
Both instincts came from the same place.
Fear.
I was afraid that if I to tell me who had sent it.
My first instinct was to call Ethan and demand an explanation. My second was to delete the message and pretend I had never seen it.
Both instincts came from the same place.
Fear.
I was afraid that if I asked the wrong question, I would discover something I couldn't undo.
But the woman who had stood beside Ethan's table earlier that evening had already taught me something important.
Silence would not protect me from the truth.
I asked the wrong question, I would discover something I couldn't undo.
But the woman who had stood beside Ethan's table earlier that evening had already taught me something important.
Silence would not protect me from the truth.
I typed a reply.
Who is this?
The message showed as delivered.
No answer came.
I slipped typed a reply.
Who is this?
The message showed as delivered.
No answer came.
I slipped my phone into my purse and asked the hotel doorman to arrange a car.
I needed to get home, take off my shoes, and call my obst my phone into my purse and asked the hotel doorman to arrange a car.
I needed to get home, take off my shoes, and call my obstetrician if the discomfort in my back continued. I also needed to speak with my attorney before Ethan had an opportunity to turn the evening into anotheretrician if the discomfort in my back continued. I also needed to speak with my attorney before Ethan had an opportunity to turn the evening into another argument about my supposed betrayal.
The car arrived a few minutes later.
As I settled into the back seat, my phone rang again.
Ethan.
I answered because I wanted to hear what he would say when he could no longer perform argument about my supposed betrayal.
The car arrived a few minutes later.
As I settled into the back seat, my phone rang again.
Ethan.
I answered because I wanted to hear what he would say when he could no longer perform for the executives watching him.
“What did you tell the board?”” he demanded.
“Good evening to you, too.””
“Don't do that.””
“Do what?””
“Pret for the executives watching him.
“What did you tell the board?”” he demanded.
“Good evening to you, too.””
“Don't do that.””
“Do what?””
“Pretend you don't understand what's happening.””
I watched the hotel disappear behind us.
“I understand that my father transferred shares into my name, that the board is reviewing a contract, and that you are angry with me forend you don't understand what's happening.””
I watched the hotel disappear behind us.
“I understand that my father transferred shares into my name, that the board is reviewing a contract, and that you are angry with me for showing them a confirmation your own company's records need to reflect.””
“You know perfectly well that's not showing them a confirmation your own company's records need to reflect.””
“You know perfectly well that's not what I'm talking about.””
“Then tell me.””
He exhaled sharply.
“Did you show Callahan your father's note?””
“Yes.””
“What exactly did it say?””
“Why are you so concerned what I'm talking about.””
“Then tell me.””
He exhaled sharply.
“Did you show Callahan your father's note?””
“Yes.””
“What exactly did it say?””
“Why are you so concerned about a letter addressed to me?””
“Because your father was seriously ill when he wrote it. You don't know what he was thinking.””
The accusation stung more than I expected.
My father had been ill.
He had also remained about a letter addressed to me?””
“Because your father was seriously ill when he wrote it. You don't know what he was thinking.””
The accusation stung more than I expected.
My father had been ill.
He had also remained intelligent, observant, and deeply concerned about the company he had built.
Ethan had known that.
He had sat beside my father during meetings, listened to his advice, and promised to honor his wishes.
Now he was suggesting that my father's thoughts could intelligent, observant, and deeply concerned about the company he had built.
Ethan had known that.
He had sat beside my father during meetings, listened to his advice, and promised to honor his wishes.
Now he was suggesting that my father's thoughts could be dismissed because his health had deteriorated.
“Don't talk about him that way,” I said.
“I'm being realistic.””
“No. You're being convenient be dismissed because his health had deteriorated.
“Don't talk about him that way,” I said.
“I'm being realistic.””
“No. You're being convenient.””
He went quiet.
I could hear the faint sound of voices in the background.
He was still at the hotel.
Still surrounded.””
He went quiet.
I could hear the faint sound of voices in the background.
He was still at the hotel.
Still surrounded by people who had witnessed his behavior downstairs.
“Listen to me,” he said eventually.
“The board is going to make a mistake if they allow personal feelings to interfere with business by people who had witnessed his behavior downstairs.
“Listen to me,” he said eventually.
“The board is going to make a mistake if they allow personal feelings to interfere with business decisions. You need to help me keep this under control.””
I almost asked him whether taking the chair from his pregnant wife had been part of his plan to keep things decisions. You need to help me keep this under control.””
I almost asked him whether taking the chair from his pregnant wife had been part of his plan to keep things under control.
Instead, I said, “I am not responsible for controlling the board.””
“You're a shareholder now.””
“I was always my under control.
Instead, I said, “I am not responsible for controlling the board.””
“You're a shareholder now.””
“I was always my father's daughter.””
“That isn't the same thing.””
“No,” I replied.
“Apparently, it isn't.””
He hung up.
I stared at the dark screen.
For several seconds, I felt the old urge to call him back and repair father's daughter.””
“That isn't the same thing.””
“No,” I replied.
“Apparently, it isn't.””
He hung up.
I stared at the dark screen.
For several seconds, I felt the old urge to call him back and repair the conversation.
I could apologize for my tone.
I could tell him I understood the pressure he was under.
I could promise that I wouldn't discuss the transfer with anyone else until we the conversation.
I could apologize for my tone.
I could tell him I understood the pressure he was under.
I could promise that I wouldn't discuss the transfer with anyone else until we had talked privately.
Those words had become familiar to me.
They were the words I used whenever his anger threatened to overwhelm the had talked privately.
Those words had become familiar to me.
They were the words I used whenever his anger threatened to overwhelm the room.
But tonight, I couldn't make myself say them.
When the car pulled into our driveway, the house was dark except for the light room.
But tonight, I couldn't make myself say them.
When the car pulled into our driveway, the house was dark except for the light above the entrance.
I thanked the driver, stepped carefully onto the pavement, and unlocked the front door.
Our wedding photograph above the entrance.
I thanked the driver, stepped carefully onto the pavement, and unlocked the front door.
Our wedding photograph stood on the console table.
Ethan was smiling in it, his arm wrapped around my waist, his forehead resting against mine.
We had stood on the console table.
Ethan was smiling in it, his arm wrapped around my waist, his forehead resting against mine.
We had been married for four years.
I remembered the way he had held my hands during our vows, promising that I would never have to face the world alone.
I remembered how my father had hugged him afterward and whispered something that made them both laugh.
I had assumed the laughter meant been married for four years.
I remembered the way he had held my hands during our vows, promising that I would never have to face the world alone.
I remembered how my father had hugged him afterward and whispered something that made them both laugh.
I had assumed the laughter meant my father was happy.
Now I wondered whether I had spent years seeing only the parts of Ethan that he wanted me to see.
I removed my father was happy.
Now I wondered whether I had spent years seeing only the parts of Ethan that he wanted me to see.
I removed my shoes and lowered myself onto the living room sofa.
My phone vibrated.
The unknown number had replied.
**I'm sorry for contacting you this way. I can't explain my shoes and lowered myself onto the living room sofa.
My phone vibrated.
The unknown number had replied.
*I'm sorry for contacting you this way. I can't explain everything over text. But Vanessa has been telling people at the company that your marriage is effectively over and that Ethan plans to make changes once the baby everything over text. But Vanessa has been telling people at the company that your marriage is effectively over and that Ethan plans to make changes once the baby arrives.*
I read the message twice.
Then I typed:
Who are you?
This time, the reply came quickly.
*Someone who works with the company arrives.*
I read the message twice.
Then I typed:
Who are you?
This time, the reply came quickly.
*Someone who works with the company. Please don't confront her yet. There's a reason she wants you to believe you're powerless.*
My heart began beating harder.
I called the. Please don't confront her yet. There's a reason she wants you to believe you're powerless.**
My heart began beating harder.
I called the number.
It went straight to voicemail.
I tried once more.
Nothing.
I wanted to dismiss the message as gossip. Corporate environments were full of rumors, especially when a number.
It went straight to voicemail.
I tried once more.
Nothing.
I wanted to dismiss the message as gossip. Corporate environments were full of rumors, especially when a CEO's personal life became public entertainment.
But the reference to the baby made it difficult to ignore.
Ethan and I had discussed what would happen after our daughter was born.
I would CEO's personal life became public entertainment.
But the reference to the baby made it difficult to ignore.
Ethan and I had discussed what would happen after our daughter was born.
I would take maternity leave.
He had promised to reduce his travel schedule.
We had talked about moving the nursery closer to our bedroom and hiring take maternity leave.
He had promised to reduce his travel schedule.
We had talked about moving the nursery closer to our bedroom and hiring temporary help for the first few weeks.
At least, those were the conversations I remembered.
Over the past two months, his answers had become temporary help for the first few weeks.
At least, those were the conversations I remembered.
Over the past two months, his answers had become increasingly vague.
He would say he needed to see how the company's expansion developed.
He would say we could make decisions later.
He would say I was worrying about things that didn't matter yet.
I had attributed the increasingly vague.
He would say he needed to see how the company's expansion developed.
He would say we could make decisions later.
He would say I was worrying about things that didn't matter yet.
I had attributed the changes to stress.
Now I opened our message history and searched for conversations about the baby.
The last time Ethan had asked how changes to stress.
Now I opened our message history and searched for conversations about the baby.
The last time Ethan had asked how I was feeling was three weeks earlier.
The last time he had asked about a doctor's appointment was more than a month ago.
Yet his calendar showed I was feeling was three weeks earlier.
The last time he had asked about a doctor's appointment was more than a month ago.
Yet his calendar showed multiple meetings with Vanessa during the same period.
I put the phone down.
I couldn't keep doing this to myself.
I needed facts multiple meetings with Vanessa during the same period.
I put the phone down.
I couldn't keep doing this to myself.
I needed facts.
Not guesses.
Not anonymous messages.
Not another argument in which Ethan accused me of misunderstanding him.
I called my attorney.
He answered on.
Not guesses.
Not anonymous messages.
Not another argument in which Ethan accused me of misunderstanding him.
I called my attorney.
He answered on the second ring.
“Are you home?””
“Yes.””
“Good. How are you feeling?””
“Tired. And confused.””
“That's understandable. Tell me what happened after we spoke.””
I the second ring.
“Are you home?””
“Yes.””
“Good. How are you feeling?””
“Tired. And confused.””
“That's understandable. Tell me what happened after we spoke.””
I explained the message from the unknown number.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he said, “Don't contact Vanessa tonight. Don't accuse Ethan explained the message from the unknown number.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he said, “Don't contact Vanessa tonight. Don't accuse Ethan of anything based on an anonymous message. Save the communication, and let the company's compliance team handle anything involving corporate conduct.””
“What if of anything based on an anonymous message. Save the communication, and let the company's compliance team handle anything involving corporate conduct.””
“What if it's true?””
“Then the evidence will matter more than the rumor.””
I looked toward the wedding photograph.
“And if Ethan has been planning to leave me?””
My attorney paused.
“That is a separate question. You do not it's true?””
“Then the evidence will matter more than the rumor.””
I looked toward the wedding photograph.
“And if Ethan has been planning to leave me?””
My attorney paused.
“That is a separate question. You do not have to make any decisions about your marriage tonight, and the company's ownership issues should not be confused with your personal decisions.””
I closed my eyes.
“I don't know how to separate them anymore.””
have to make any decisions about your marriage tonight, and the company's ownership issues should not be confused with your personal decisions.””
I closed my eyes.
“I don't know how to separate them anymore.””
“Then start with what you know. You know the transfer has been completed. You know the board is reviewing a contract. You know your father left you a note explaining why he wanted your rights“Then start with what you know.
You know the transfer has been completed. You know the board is reviewing a contract. You know your father left you a note explaining why he wanted your rights protected. The rest needs to be established.””
He was right.
I could not build my future around an anonymous message.
But I could stop pretending there protected. The rest needs to be established.””
He was right.
I could not build my future around an anonymous message.
But I could stop pretending there was nothing to investigate.
After we ended the call, I saved the unknown number's messages and took screenshots for my attorney.
Then I opened the email my father was nothing to investigate.
After we ended the call, I saved the unknown number's messages and took screenshots for my attorney.
Then I opened the email my father had left me.
The handwritten note was still there.
I read the final paragraph again.
*If anyone attempts to persuade you that your rights depend on your relationship with them, remember that your rights were established for a had left me.
The handwritten note was still there.
I read the final paragraph again.
If anyone attempts to persuade you that your rights depend on your relationship with them, remember that your rights were established for a reason. You may choose to forgive. You may choose to compromise. But never surrender your ability to make those choices freely.
I pressed reason. You may choose to forgive. You may choose to compromise. But never surrender your ability to make those choices freely.*
I pressed a hand against my stomach.
“I'm going to figure this out,” I whispered to my daughter.
The words sounded strange in the quiet house.
For months, I had imagined protecting her a hand against my stomach.
“I'm going to figure this out,” I whispered to my daughter.
The words sounded strange in the quiet house.
For months, I had imagined protecting her by keeping my marriage intact.
I had believed that a happy family required patience, forgiveness, and the willingness to overlook certain things.
Now I understood that a family could not be made safe by asking one person to accept whatever the other person chose by keeping my marriage intact.
I had believed that a happy family required patience, forgiveness, and the willingness to overlook certain things.
Now I understood that a family could not be made safe by asking one person to accept whatever the other person chose to do.
My phone rang.
It was Ethan again.
I answered, but I didn't speak first.
“Are you home?”” he asked.
“Yes.””
to do.
My phone rang.
It was Ethan again.
I answered, but I didn't speak first.
“Are you home?”” he asked.
“Yes.””
“Good. I'm coming back.””
“You don't need to tell me that.””
“I want us to talk without the board interfering.””
“Then we can talk tomorrow, after I've rested.””
“No. Tonight“Good. I'm coming back.””
“You don't need to tell me that.””
“I want us to talk without the board interfering.””
“Then we can talk tomorrow, after I've rested.””
“No. Tonight.””
His voice had taken on that familiar commanding edge.
I looked at the clock.
It was almost midnight.
“Ethan, I'm exhausted..””
His voice had taken on that familiar commanding edge.
I looked at the clock.
It was almost midnight.
“Ethan, I'm exhausted. My back hurts, and I need to rest.””
A pause.
Then, unexpectedly, his tone softened.
“I'm worried about you.””
For one painful My back hurts, and I need to rest.””
A pause.
Then, unexpectedly, his tone softened.
“I'm worried about you.””
For one painful second, I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to believe that beneath the anger and arrogance, my husband was still capable of caring about me.
Then he continued.
“You've been under a lot second, I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to believe that beneath the anger and arrogance, my husband was still capable of caring about me.
Then he continued.
“You've been under a lot of stress, and I don't want you making decisions you'll regret.””
The softness disappeared.
He wasn't worried about my back.
He was worried about my decisions.
“I'll speak to you tomorrow,” I of stress, and I don't want you making decisions you'll regret.””
The softness disappeared.
He wasn't worried about my back.
He was worried about my decisions.
“I'll speak to you tomorrow,” I said.
“Don't shut me out.””
I ended the call.
A few minutes later, I heard a car pull into the driveway.
I remained seated.
The said.
“Don't shut me out.””
I ended the call.
A few minutes later, I heard a car pull into the driveway.
I remained seated.
The front door opened, and Ethan walked into the house wearing the same suit he had worn to the gala.
His tie was loose.
His face was pale.
He stopped when he saw me.
“Why didn't you answer when I knocked front door opened, and Ethan walked into the house wearing the same suit he had worn to the gala.
His tie was loose.
His face was pale.
He stopped when he saw me.
“Why didn't you answer when I knocked?””
“I heard you come in.””
He looked toward the staircase, then back at me.
“Where's your phone?””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because I called you.””
“And I answered.””
He took?””
“I heard you come in.””
He looked toward the staircase, then back at me.
“Where's your phone?””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because I called you.””
“And I answered.””
He took a step closer.
“Who have you been talking to?””
The question chilled me.
Not because it was unreasonable for a husband to ask who his wife had spoken a step closer.
“Who have you been talking to?””
The question chilled me.
Not because it was unreasonable for a husband to ask who his wife had spoken with.
But because he had entered our home after midnight, ignored my request to with.
But because he had entered our home after midnight, ignored my request to rest, and immediately demanded to know whom I had contacted.
“My attorney,” I replied.
His expression hardened.
“Of course.””
I stood carefully.
“E rest, and immediately demanded to know whom I had contacted.
“My attorney,” I replied.
His expression hardened.
“Of course.””
I stood carefully.
“Ethan, what do you want?””
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he asked a question that made the room seem to shrink around us.
“Has anyone contacted you about Vanessa?””
than, what do you want?””
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he asked a question that made the room seem to shrink around us.
“Has anyone contacted you about Vanessa?””
I felt my heartbeat in my throat.
I could have lied.
I could have pretended not to understand.
Instead, I watched hisI felt my heartbeat in my throat.
I could have lied.
I could have pretended not to understand.
Instead, I watched his face.
“Why would anyone contact me about Vanessa?””
He didn't answer.
His eyes moved toward my purse, where my phone rested beside my father's letter.
Then he looked face.
“Why would anyone contact me about Vanessa?””
He didn't answer.
His eyes moved toward my purse, where my phone rested beside my father's letter.
Then he looked back at me.
And in that moment, I understood something that frightened me more than the anonymous message.
Ethan wasn't asking whether rumors existed.
He was asking whether I had back at me.
And in that moment, I understood something that frightened me more than the anonymous message.
Ethan wasn't asking whether rumors existed.
He was asking whether I had heard them.
May you like
He already knew there was something people might tell me.
And he was afraid I would believe it.
