Chapter 9: The Enemy My Sister Created
I drove straight to Vanessa’s apartment.
Not because I had forgiven her.
Not because everything was suddenly okay.
But because I needed answers.
When I arrived, she was sitting on the floor surrounded by papers.
For once, Vanessa looked completely lost.
No makeup.
No perfect outfit.
No confident attitude.
Just my sister.
A person who had made terrible choices and was finally facing them.
“What happened?”” I asked.
She looked up.
“I made a mistake.””
I almost laughed.
“That phrase isn’t big enough anymore.””
She nodded.
“I know.””
I sat down across from her.
“Tell me everything.””
She took a deep breath.
“After Meridian ended my contract, I was angry.””
“I know.””
“No, you don’t.””
She looked at me.
“I was desperate.””
I stayed quiet.
“Someone contacted me.””
“Who?””
“A former Meridian partner.””
My expression changed.
“Why?””
“They wanted information.””
“About Meridian?””
“Yes.””
I felt cold.
“Did you give it to them?””
Her silence answered.
“Vanessa.””
“I didn’t give them everything.””
“That is not an answer.””
She looked away.
“I gave them some project details.””
My heart sank.
“What details?””
“Marketing information. Internal plans.””
I stood.
“Do you understand what you did?””
“I do now.””
“No.””
My voice became sharper.
“You don’t get to say that like it fixes everything.””
Tears filled her eyes.
“I know.””
She covered her face.
“I thought I was proving I mattered.””
The anger inside me fought with something else.
Pity.
Because I could see it now.
Vanessa wasn’t chasing success.
She was chasing validation.
And someone had used that weakness.
“Who contacted you?””
She handed me a folder.
Inside was a name.
Ethan Cross.
A former Meridian executive.
I recognized it.
Everyone in the business world knew the name.
He had left Meridian after a major disagreement with the board.
“He wanted revenge,” Vanessa whispered.
“And you helped him.””
“Yes.””
I looked at the papers.
“How much information?””
“I don’t know.””
That scared me.
“You don’t know?””
“He kept asking questions. I thought it was harmless.””
“Vanessa.””
“I know.””
She started crying.
“I know.””
For the first time, I believed her.
Not because she deserved forgiveness.
But because she finally understood the damage.
My phone rang.
Adrian.
I answered immediately.
“Claire?””
His voice was serious.
“We need to talk.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“What happened?””
A pause.
“Someone leaked confidential information.””
My stomach dropped.
“Ethan Cross?””
Silence.
Then:
“How do you know that name?””
I closed my eyes.
Because now there was no hiding.
“Because my sister knows him.””
The silence on the phone felt endless.
Finally, Adrian said:
“Claire, you need to come to Meridian immediately.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She was terrified.
The consequences were finally here.
Not rumors.
Not arguments.
Not family drama.
Real consequences.
As I stood up, Vanessa grabbed my hand.
“Claire.””
I looked back.
“I’m sorry.””
Two words.
The words I had wanted for so long.
But hearing them now didn’t erase anything.
I nodded.
“I believe you’re sorry.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“But I don’t know if sorry is enough.””
And for the first time in years…
May you like
Vanessa had nothing to say.
Because she knew I was right.
