Chapter 10 - Vanessa Tells Claire the Uncomfortable Truth
Vanessa asked Claire for one private conversation.
Claire nearly refused.
Then she agreed.
Vanessa did not blame Richard for the affair.
She did not claim vulnerability or confusion.
“I knew he was married.”
“Yes.”
“I knew you existed.”
“Yes.”
“I did it anyway.”
Claire appreciated the absence of excuses without mistaking it for
redemption.
Vanessa explained that she initially believed Richard was trying to
expose his father’s misconduct.
She admired him.
Then she learned he had been concealing parts of it.
Their professional conflict became personal.
Then intimate.
“It was selfish,” Vanessa said.
Claire answered:
“Yes.”
Vanessa handed over every message between them relevant to the
investigation.
She resigned from the internal review because her relationship created
an obvious conflict.
An independent team replaced her.
Before leaving, Vanessa said:
“I’m sorry for what I did to you.”
Claire did not say she forgave her.
She said:
May you like
“I heard you.”
That was all Vanessa was entitled to.
