“The job you said you hated?” Ryan asked with a dry laugh. “The one that supposedly pays late every month?”
Vanessa looked around the room, searching for support.
She found none.
“Fine,” she said suddenly. “Yes, I know him. But it’s not what you think.”
“Then explain it,” Ryan replied. “Explain the card, the financing, the hotel… and the watch.”
Vanessa hesitated, then finally spoke.
“I started gambling online,” she admitted quietly. “Just small bets at first. I thought I could win back what I lost.”
Ryan closed his eyes.
“Gambling?”
“I didn’t want you to know,” she said quickly. “You would’ve judged me. I just needed time to fix it.”
Detective Parker spoke calmly.
“Using someone else’s financial information without permission is a criminal offense.”
Vanessa looked frightened.
“Are you arresting me?”
“Not today,” he replied. “Today we’re documenting the case so the bank can recover the funds.”
Ryan looked at me with guilt in his eyes.
“Mom… I didn’t know.”
“I know,” I answered softly. “But I asked you weeks ago to review the charges with me.”
Vanessa stepped closer to him.
“Ryan, please… Mark just lent me money. I had to keep him happy so he wouldn’t pressure me.”