Chapter 4: The Evidence She Never Expected Me to Find
I stared at the documents in my hands until the words started becoming meaningless.
Numbers.
Dates.
Names.
Signatures.
All of them blurred together.
But one thing remained painfully clear.
Felicity had not simply lied to Adrian.
She had built an entire version of herself that never existed.
And somehow, my name had become part of that illusion.
I closed the folder slowly.
“What exactly did she use me for?””
My father looked away.
That hurt more than anything.
Because my father had always been the person who said he would protect me.
The person who told me after my mother died that I would never have to face the world alone.
But now, sitting in that living room, I realized he had spent years protecting the wrong person.
“Dad.””
He finally looked at me.
“Felicity told Adrian's family that you work closely with the Montgomery Foundation.””
I frowned.
“I attended one training program they sponsored.””
“That’s what she said.””
“And?””
Patricia crossed her arms.
“She made it sound like you had personal connections with them.””
I laughed once.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
“She made it sound like I helped secure funding?””
Nobody answered.
I felt my chest tighten.
“She told them that?””
My father lowered his head.
“Not directly.””
“Then how?””
Patricia sighed.
“She implied it.””
That was Felicity’s specialty.
She never said things clearly enough to be caught.
She planted ideas.
She created impressions.
She allowed people to believe what benefited her.
It was how she survived.
It was how she won.
“She told Adrian’s family that you helped her get introduced to the hospital foundation,” my father admitted.
I stared at him.
“That’s impossible.””
“Why?””
“Because I never introduced her to anyone.””
Silence.
Then I remembered.
Three months before the wedding, Felicity had called me.
She sounded unusually nervous.
“Jenna, I need a favor.””
Those words had become normal.
A warning sign I ignored.
“What kind of favor?””
“I need you to tell me about the Montgomery Foundation.””
I had been sitting in my apartment after a twelve-hour shift.
My feet hurt.
My head hurt.
But she sounded desperate.
So I helped.
I told her about their hospital programs.
Their charity work.
Their interest in medical innovation.
I answered her questions.
Because I thought she was preparing for a conversation.
I never imagined she was preparing a performance.
“She used what you told her,” my father said.
I looked down at the papers again.
My stomach twisted.
“She made herself look connected.””
“Yes.””
“And Adrian believed her?””
My father hesitated.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.””
I stood up.
“I’m leaving.””
Patricia immediately looked annoyed.
“Jenna, this affects the whole family.””
I turned toward her.
“The whole family?””
My voice was calmer than I expected.
“That’s interesting. Because when she embarrassed me at the wedding, it didn’t seem like a family issue.””
Patricia’s expression hardened.
“You’re being emotional.””
I almost smiled.
There it was.
The favorite accusation.
Whenever I reacted to being hurt, I was emotional.
Whenever Felicity caused the damage, she was misunderstood.
“I’m being realistic.””
My father stood.
“Jenna, please.””
I looked at him.
“Did you know?””
His face changed.
That was my answer.
“You knew.””
“Not everything.””
“But enough.””
He didn't deny it.
The disappointment was worse than anger.
Because anger would have been easier.
I could fight anger.
I couldn't fight the sadness of realizing my own father had watched me be used.
“I thought you were happy for her,” he whispered.
I looked at him.
“Dad, happiness doesn't mean pretending someone didn't hurt you.””
Nobody spoke.
I walked toward the door.
Then my father said something that made me stop.
“Adrian asked about you.””
I turned.
“What?””
“He asked if you were willing to talk.””
“Why?””
My father looked at the folder.
“Because he thinks Felicity wasn't honest about everything.””
I stared at him.
“And what does he want from me?””
“I don’t know.””
I grabbed my coat.
“Neither do I.””
The next afternoon, Adrian Montgomery came to Mercy General Hospital.
I recognized him immediately.
Not because of his expensive suit.
Not because of the wedding photos that had appeared online.
Because I remembered his face at the ballroom entrance.
The face of someone who wanted to warn me.
He was standing near the nurses’ station when I finished checking a patient's chart.
“Jenna Parker?””
I looked up.
“Yes?””
He stepped closer.
“I’m Adrian.””
“I know.””
He nodded.
“I was hoping we could talk.””
I glanced around.
“I’m working.””
“I know.””
His voice softened.
“I’ll wait.””
Normally, I would have told him no.
But something stopped me.
Maybe it was curiosity.
Maybe it was because I wanted answers.
Or maybe because I wanted to know if I had been right about him.
Twenty minutes later, we sat in the hospital cafeteria.
Two people connected by the same person.
The same person who had hurt both of us.
“I owe you an apology,” Adrian said.
I looked at him.
“For what?””
“For believing a story without checking the truth.””
I didn't answer.
He continued.
“When I met Felicity, she told me about you.””
My expression changed.
“What did she say?””
He looked uncomfortable.
“That you were talented, but insecure.””
I laughed quietly.
“That sounds like her.””
“She said you struggled because you compared yourself to her.””
I stared at my coffee.
“And you believed that?””
“At first.””
That honesty surprised me.
“At first?””
He nodded.
“Then I met you.””
I looked up.
“You met me at the wedding.””
“No.””
His face became serious.
“Before that.””
I froze.
“What?””
Adrian reached into his briefcase.
He pulled out a photograph.
I looked at it.
It was from a hospital event.
A charity training day.
I was there.
Standing beside doctors and emergency staff.
I remembered it.
Two years ago.
“What is this?””
“My father’s foundation event.””
“I know.””
He nodded.
“Do you know why your name was mentioned during the meeting?””
I shook my head.
“Because someone from the hospital staff recommended you.””
I stared at him.
“Who?””
“Your department director.””
That wasn't surprising.
I had worked hard.
But I still didn't understand.
“Why does this matter?””
Adrian looked at me.
“Because Felicity told my family she was the person who organized that entire partnership.””
I felt my hands tighten.
“She what?””
“She claimed she helped build relationships between hospitals and our foundation.””
I couldn't speak.
The lie was bigger than I imagined.
“She wanted my family to think she belonged in our world.””
“And you?””
He looked away.
“I thought she did.””
The honesty in his voice made me uncomfortable.
Because I knew what it felt like.
To believe someone was different.
To believe they were better than their actions.
“I need your help,” Adrian said.
I looked at him.
“With what?””
“Finding out how far this goes.””
I should have refused.
I should have walked away.
But then he said something else.
Something that changed everything.
“Jenna, I think Felicity didn't just lie about her achievements.””
May you like
He paused.
“I think she lied about why she married me.””
