Chapter 8 - THE OTHER WIFE

Her name was Melissa Grant.

According to the marriage certificate, Ryan married her in Nevada eight years ago.

According to public records, there was no divorce.

“That’s impossible.”

Sarah shook her head.

“It’s possible. It’s just illegal.”

Bigamy.

The word felt absurd.

Like something from a soap opera.

Sarah located Melissa within hours.

She lived in Arizona.

Two children.

When contacted by investigators, she agreed to speak.

Her first question was, “Is Linda involved?”

My stomach turned.

We arranged a video call with attorneys present.

Melissa appeared on screen looking tired but composed.

“I wondered when they’d do this to someone else.”

“Do what?”

“Use a woman until she stops being useful.”

She told me Ryan married her when he was twenty-six.

Linda moved in six months later.

They drained Melissa’s savings.

Opened credit cards in her name.

When Melissa threatened police, Ryan disappeared.

Linda told her the marriage had never been properly filed.

Melissa believed her.

It had been.

“Why didn’t you pursue him?”

“I had two babies and no money.”

Her voice hardened.

“And I was ashamed.”

I understood that more than I wanted to.

Then Melissa said something worse.

“Ryan always wanted a woman with status.”

“What do you mean?”

“He talked about marrying someone important. A doctor. Lawyer. Military officer. Somebody with benefits and connections.”

My skin prickled.

“Did he know Victor then?”

“Yes.”

Everything tightened.

“How long?”

“Since high school.”

Victor was not an old acquaintance.

Melissa opened a folder.

“I kept copies.”

Credit applications.

Emails.

Messages.

One from Linda to Ryan after Melissa resisted selling her condo:

YOU NEED A WOMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT A WIFE IS FOR.

The wording was almost identical to what Linda had said while holding clippers over my bed.

Except this time, they chose a woman who knew how to document a threat.

At the end of the call, Melissa looked at me.

“Grace?”

“Yes?”

“Whatever they tell you, don’t feel sorry for them.”

I nodded.

“There’s another problem.”

“What now?”

“If Ryan was still legally married to Melissa when he married you…”

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She paused.

“Then your marriage may never have been valid at all.”