Chapter 4: The Lie We Built Together
The question followed Elise everywhere.
After the baby.
Those three words.
They were impossible.
Unless there was something else Reid had never told her.
The next day, Elise waited outside Reid’s office.
She didn’t call.
She didn’t warn him.
She wanted to see his face when he realized the truth was no longer hidden.
When Reid walked out and saw her, he stopped.
“Elise.””
“Get in the car.””
His expression changed.
“I can explain.””
She smiled.
“That sentence should be printed on your business cards.””
He looked down.
“Please.””
She unlocked the car.
“Five minutes.””
They sat in silence.
Finally, Reid spoke.
“I know I hurt you.””
“No.””
He looked at her.
“You don’t get to start there.””
“What?””
“You hurt me after months of making me question myself.””
Her eyes filled.
“You didn’t just cheat. You built a system around the cheating.””
Reid looked away.
“Elise…”
“Why did you write ‘after the baby’?””
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
She saw it.
“You know what I’m talking about.””
Reid stayed silent.
And that silence confirmed everything.
“Who was pregnant?””
“Elise.””
“Who?””
He rubbed his face.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen.””
Her heart stopped.
“What wasn’t?””
“Vanessa got pregnant.””
The world became quiet.
Elise stared ahead.
She felt strangely calm.
“When?””
“Six months ago.””
Six months.
The exact time therapy started.
“You brought me into counseling because you were having a child with our marriage counselor.””
Reid looked ashamed.
“I didn’t know what to do.””
“You knew exactly what to do.””
She turned toward him.
“You lied.””
He whispered, “I was scared.””
Elise opened the door.
“Get out.””
“Elise.””
“Get out of my car.””
He stepped out.
Before closing the door, he said something that made her freeze.
“You need to ask Vanessa why the baby isn’t here.””
Elise looked up.
“What?””
Reid swallowed.
“Ask her what happened.””
Then he closed the door.
That night, Elise found Vanessa’s address.
She didn’t know why she went.
Maybe because some part of her still needed answers.
Maybe because the truth had become the only thing she trusted.
Vanessa opened the door wearing a simple sweater.
She looked tired.
Older.
“Elise.””
“You were pregnant.””
Vanessa froze.
Five seconds passed.
Then she whispered:
“You know.””
“Yes.””
Vanessa stepped back.
“Come inside.””
“I don’t want comfort.””
“I know.””
“I want the truth.””
Vanessa nodded.
They sat in silence.
Then Vanessa said:
“I lost the baby.””
Elise said nothing.
“When?””
“Four months ago.””
“Did Reid know?””
“Yes.””
“And you still continued therapy?””
Vanessa’s eyes filled.
“I didn’t know how to stop.””
Elise stared.
“You didn’t know how to stop lying.””
Vanessa accepted the accusation.
“Yes.””
For a moment, Elise saw something human.
Not forgiveness.
Not understanding.
Just two people sitting in the ruins of something terrible.
Then Vanessa reached into a drawer.
She pulled out an envelope.
“I was going to give this to you.””
Elise didn’t move.
“What is it?””
Vanessa looked terrified.
“It’s proof.””
“Of what?””
Vanessa placed the envelope on the table.
“Reid didn’t just betray you.””
Elise slowly opened it.
Inside was a printed message.
One sentence.
One that made her hands shake.
*If Elise finds out, we both lose everything.*
Elise looked up.
“Who wrote this?””
May you like
Vanessa whispered:
“Your husband.””