Page 118 of Married to Lies

“We had been pen pals for months,” Li said, a smile on her face and a special light in her eyes. “He wrote me notes every day, telling me that I was doing a good job and that I was beautiful.”

Li smiled with the glow of love as she detailed their whirlwind romance and the romantic moment when Thomas proposed. She said they were both so in love they wanted to get married before the new year, and Thomas went to great lengths to ensure she could live out her lifelong dream of being married in front of the Eiffel Tower.

“Once Conrad found out I was married to the person he considered his enemy, he told me I had a week to plant evidence against Quentin or he would leak my identity to the press.”

That’s when Li said she realized something more sinister was at play.

“I learned that Radiant Cleaning’s receptionist was actually Quentin’s ex fiancée. She was on parole for felony fraud charges, which she tried to pin on Quentin.”

Li added that a private investigator unearthed photos of Conrad and Claire in public, engaging in what seemed to be a romantic relationship.

In digging through public records, Claire Newman’s sordid history was unearthed. Newman was investigated, charged, and sentenced for fraud and criminal conspiracy. Court records show Newman threatening Thomas for reporting her activities to the authorities.

A tear glistened on Li’s cheek as she told her story. “Conrad has been removed from my business, and I’ll be taking the lead from here on out. If that means I lose clients, then I’ll have to deal with the consequences. My main priority is my relationship with my husband. No matter what happens between us in light of this news, I want everyone to know this: He’s an incredible man.”

We’ll be following this case closely in the coming days. Check back for timely updates.

I lowered my phone, taking it in. Reading it all laid out like that made it even more clear that Rei had truly been in an impossible situation. Just like the one I’d found myself in all those years ago.

When I found out Claire was doing something illegal, I gave her a chance to make it right. Just like Rei had tried to reason with Conrad.

Waiting until I got to her place to talk to her felt impossible, so I picked my phone back up and dialed her number. After a few rings, her voice came across the line.

“Quentin?” she mumbled, her voice slow and fuzzy.

“Are you awake?” I asked. She’d only texted me half an hour ago, but maybe she’d lain down for a nap.

“I’m up. I just had to put my slippers in the ssshower...”

Something was really off. “Did you take something? Are you drinking?” Worry made my heart rate speed.

“I’m not drinking,” she slurred. “Just extra tired for some reason. A shower will help me wake up.” She yawned.

“Don’t get in the shower,” I ordered, panic spiking at the sound of running water. “Do you hear me? I’m coming, just wait for me.”

She mumbled something, but then I heard a clatter, and my heart echoed the sound.

“REI!” I yelled.

But she didn’t answer.

“Divi, speed up,” I said.

He punched the gas petal, weaving through traffic as I called Steve’s number.

“Hello?” he asked calmly.

“Where are you?” I demanded. “Where’s Rei?”

“I’m around the corner from her house. All clear.”

I swore. “Something’s wrong. Go into her house. The bathroom. Hurry!”

“I’m on it.” He hung up, and my heart raced as I stared at the screen, wishing he had stayed on to tell me if she was okay.

“Faster, I don’t give a shit about tickets,” I ordered and pressed the buttons on my screen to dial 911.

“Yes, sir,” Divi said. He turned on his hazard lights and went even faster.