Chapter 6 - The Mistress Retreats
Sarah grabbed the tablet, her eyes scanning the breaking news headline across the screen. I stood up, peering over her shoulder as the video stream loaded.
“BREAKING NEWS: Senior Pharmacist at St. Matthew’s Hospital Arrested for Alleged Pharmaceutical Theft Involving Pediatric Patient; Investigation Widens to Include Financial Misconduct.”
Below the main broadcast banner was a live feed of reporters swarming the entrance of an upscale apartment complex across town. The camera zoomed in on a frantic woman wearing oversized sunglasses and a designer trench coat, trying desperately to push her way past reporters.
Vanessa Cole.
"Look at her run," Sarah murmured, watching the screen. "She knows the federal investigators are already eyeing her apartment for the stolen medical supplies Daniel diverted."
On the screen, a reporter shoved a microphone toward Vanessa's face.
"Ms. Cole! Is it true that Daniel Carter provided you with restricted prescription medication meant for his dying eight-year-old daughter? Do you have a comment on the ongoing criminal investigation?"
Vanessa panicked, pulling her coat tighter around her face, snapped at the reporter, "Leave me alone! I have nothing to do with this! Daniel acted on his own! I never asked him to steal anything!"
With that, she shoved past the camera crew and scrambled into a waiting cab, speeding away from the scene.
I watched the screen with a mixture of cold satisfaction and utter contempt. For months, Vanessa had acted like a queen bee, believing she had secured a successful man with status and money. The moment the ship started sinking, she threw Daniel under the bus without a second thought. True loyalty among thieves didn't exist.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was an unknown number, but caller ID indicated it was routed from the county detention center.
I looked at Sarah, who nodded and gestured for me to put it on speaker.
I tapped the screen and answered.
"Emily?" Daniel’s voice came through, sounding hollow, desperate, and broken. "Emily, please... you have to help me. They won't let me out on bail. The judge classified it as a flight risk because of the federal charges."
I remained silent for a moment, letting the heavy quiet stretch across the line.
"Did you see the news, Daniel?" I asked calmly.
A choked sob came through the receiver. "I... I saw it on the common room TV. Vanessa... she lied to the reporters. She told them I acted alone, she deleted our messages, and her lawyer already released a statement claiming I harassed her into taking the medicine!"
"Of course she did," I replied smoothly. "What did you expect, Daniel? You gave up your daughter for her. It’s only fitting that she gave you up the second things got difficult."
"Emily, please!" Daniel wept, his composure completely shattered. "You're my wife. You can fix this. Tell the DA it was a misunderstanding, tell them we can pay a fine, just get me out of here!"
"I am your wife, Daniel—for about the next forty-eight hours, until Sarah files the emergency paperwork," I said, my voice cutting through his crying like glass. "You made your choice last night in the ICU. You decided that Vanessa was worth more than Lily. Well, now you get to live with the consequences of that valuation."
"Emily, don't do this! Think of our family!" he screamed.
"I am thinking of our family," I said firmly. "I'm protecting my daughter from a monster."
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I hung up the phone, blocking the number permanently.
Sarah looked up at me, her expression a mix of admiration and awe. "Well handled, Emily. Now, let’s go back to the hospital. Lily will be waking up soon, and it's time to start building a brand-new life for the two of you."
