Chapter 18 - THE WOMAN WHO FINALLY CHOSE THE TRUTH

|
Bianca arrived at the district attorney's office under police protection.
She looked nothing like the confident woman who had stood beside Camden at the anniversary gala.
Her hair was pulled back. Her makeup was gone. Her hands trembled as she placed a small digital recorder on the table.
“I kept this because I knew Camden would eventually turn on me,” she said.
The prosecutor examined it.
“What does it contain?”
“A conversation between Camden and Gideon. It happened the night Eleanor was transferred from the first facility.”
Nora sat beside Holly.
“Why are you giving it to us?”
Bianca looked at her.
“Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life pretending I didn't know.”
The recording was played.
Gideon's voice came first.
“She is becoming a problem.”
Camden answered.
“She won't speak to anyone.”
“She has a daughter.”
“She has no way to reach her.”
“Then make sure she stays that way.”
A pause.
Then Camden said something that made Nora's blood turn cold.
“If Nora ever finds out, I'll tell her Eleanor abandoned her. She'll believe me.”
Gideon laughed.
“And if she doesn't?”
Camden answered calmly.
“Then I'll make sure she has too much to lose to ask questions.”
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Nora looked at Bianca.
“You knew?”
Bianca nodded.
“I heard it years ago. I told myself it wasn't my business.”
“You stood beside him while he humiliated me.”
“Yes.”
“You watched him erase me from the company.”
“Yes.”
“Why should I believe you now?”
Bianca's eyes filled.
“You shouldn't have to. The recording can speak for itself.”
The prosecutor took possession of the device.
Bianca agreed to provide additional emails, payment records, and correspondence with Northstar Advisory.
In exchange, her cooperation would be considered during any prosecution.
Nora stood.
“Is there anything else?”
Bianca hesitated.
“Camden has a private account. He moved money there before the merger. I know the bank and the account manager.”
Holly took notes.
“Can you prove it?”
“I can provide the records.”
Nora looked at her for a long moment.
“You don't get to become the victim in my story.”
Bianca nodded.
“I know.”
“You made choices. So did I. The difference is I'm not asking anyone to pretend mine didn't matter.”
Bianca lowered her eyes.
Nora left the room.
Outside, Marcus was waiting.
“The prosecutor has enough to request additional charges.”
“Will Camden be arrested again?”
“Possibly. Gideon too.”
Nora looked at the sky.
The rain had stopped.
She felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
Then she received a call from her doctor.
“Nora, I need you to come in. Your blood pressure is elevated, and given your pregnancy, I want to monitor you.”
Holly immediately reached for her bag.
“We're going.”
At the hospital, the doctor examined Nora and recommended observation.
The baby was healthy, but the stress had taken a toll.
Nora lay back against the pillows.
“I just want this to be over.”
Holly sat beside her.
“It will be.”
Nora closed her eyes.
Then a nurse entered carrying a small envelope.
“Someone left this at reception for you.”
Holly took it.
Inside was a photograph of Camden standing outside the hospital.
May you like
On the back, someone had written:
He knows when the baby is due.