Ella
Renata called again three days later, this time with news that shifted the entire calculus of when I'd finally have to face Vanessa with the truth.
"Amara's draft is nearly finished," she said, spreading the latest version across my desk. "With Vanessa's corroborating testimony added to Danika's evidence, the story's stronger than I originally projected. I think we can go public in ten days instead of three weeks."
"Ten days." I felt the number settle heavy in my chest. "That doesn't leave much time to prepare Vanessa for what's coming."
"No, it doesn't. Which is part of why I wanted to discuss this with you directly." Renata's expression turned careful. "I'd recommend telling her before the story breaks, not after. If she learns the truth from a headline instead of from you, I th
