Chapter 7
The recording paused.
I heard her breathe.
“There is one thing I have not told you. I did not find the photograph by accident. Tessa sent it to me.”
My eyes lifted to the screen.
Corinne continued.
“She contacted me because she believed you had promised her a future. She thought I was the only obstacle. She was wrong. You were the person making promises to both of us.”
I closed my eyes.
Tessa had never said she wanted more.
Not directly.
She had talked about apartments in New York, about leaving Nashville, about how tired she was of hiding. I had laughed and kissed her and told her we would figure everything out after the development deal closed.
I had called it temporary.
She had apparently called it a plan.
“I am not sending you this to create a war between you and Tessa,” Corinne said. “I am sending it because you should know the truth without being able to blame the person who delivered it.”
Another pause.
“Your attorney will receive the formal documents tomorrow. Mine already has them. I have not filed for divorce yet. I have asked for a separation while we determine whether there is anything honest left to build.”
My heart began to pound.
There was still a possibility.
Small, painful, and undeserved—but real.
Then she said, “Do not come looking for us. If you want to speak with me, contact Miriam Holt. She will arrange it when I am ready.”
The recording ended.
I remained at the desk long after the screen went dark.
Mrs. Pearl appeared in the doorway.
She did not ask whether I had heard it.
She seemed to know.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“I told you, I don’t know.”
“Do you know her attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Then give me the number.”
Mrs. Pearl considered me.
“You should not call her while you are angry.”
“I’m not angry.”
“Not with her, perhaps.”
The words were fair.
I looked again at the photograph lying facedown on the desk.
“What did she tell you before she left?”
Mrs. Pearl entered the room and closed the door behind her.
“She told me she was afraid you would think she had done this suddenly.”
“She had been planning it for six weeks.”
“She had been thinking about it for much longer.”
I swallowed.
“Did she say where she was going?”
“Only that she wanted Owen near people who loved him and would not ask questions he was too young to answer.”