PART 3

“What exactly is the meaning of this?” George demanded, shooting to his feet.

One of the investigators calmly raised a hand.

“Please sit down, sir.”

“We’re here only to observe and verify information.”

Vanessa looked desperately toward Ethan.

She was waiting for him to defend her.

He didn’t move.

He sat beside me with his hands folded on the table, his jaw tight, his eyes fixed on her.

Twenty-four hours earlier…

He had looked at her like the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Tonight…

He looked at her like a stranger.

My attorney, Margaret Bennett, placed a tablet in the center of the dining table.

“Before we begin,” she said, “I’d like to clarify that everyone here accepted this meeting voluntarily.”

“No one is required to answer questions.”

“But any attempt to falsify documents, intimidate witnesses, or destroy evidence will immediately become part of the official record.”

Patricia let out a nervous laugh.

“Oh, come on.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“My daughter made one mistake.”

“Now we’re acting like spraying someone with a garden hose is a federal crime?”

I met her gaze without blinking.

“No, Patricia.”

“The hose was only the beginning.”

Vanessa swallowed hard.

“Ethan…”

Her voice softened.

“Please don’t let your mother do this.”

“She’s hated me from the very beginning.”

“She investigated me because she never accepted me.”

Ethan took a slow breath.