Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN IN JULIAN’S PHONE
The FBI cleared me of accessing its system within twenty-four hours.
The login had used a copied digital certificate connected to my consulting account.
Someone wanted a record placing me inside the investigation before the warrants were served.
Julian’s attorney called it proof that I had orchestrated a personal vendetta.
He described the kick as an accidental defensive movement after I “lunged at Chloe.”
Twenty-three guests had seen otherwise.
Only six agreed to formal interviews.
The Vances controlled jobs, loans, contracts, or charitable grants connected to nearly everyone at the shower.
Chloe posted a photograph from her hospital bed.
Her caption read:
PROTECTING THE NEXT VANCE HEIR.
She claimed to be twelve weeks pregnant.
Julian had told me he spent those weeks traveling between Chicago and Boston for company negotiations.
I searched our shared calendar.
The trips existed.
So did hotel charges near Chloe’s apartment.
Rachel stopped me from contacting either of them.
“Your marriage is evidence now.”
That sentence made me feel more violated than the affair.
Federal agents searched Julian’s phone under warrant. Messages showed that he and Chloe had discussed a baby for months.
One text read:
Once Clara is removed, the board cannot question succession.
Another said:
Mother has the medical report ready.
The report did not appear in the extracted files.
Arthur petitioned the court to prevent federal investigators from examining Vance Biologics’ patient records, arguing medical privacy.
The company developed fertility diagnostics and prenatal screening software.
My pregnancy had been monitored at a Vance-affiliated clinic.
So had Chloe’s.
Dr. Shah requested my original laboratory results.
The clinic sent scanned copies.
One page claimed Julian had been excluded as the biological father of my baby.
I had never requested prenatal paternity testing.
I had never seen the report.
The signature authorizing it looked like mine.
Julian’s family had created medical evidence declaring my unborn child illegitimate.
Rachel read the laboratory number.
“This sample was processed six weeks ago.”
The same week Julian began calling Chloe’s baby the real heir.
Then Daniel called.
May you like
The empty black case carried one usable fingerprint beneath its handle.
Mine.
