The stranger's phone snap caught my attention. Lena and Ryan were closer, happier, and younger. She was tilting her head back in laughing as he put his arm around her waist. They did not look at each other like family. The look was that of lovers.
"What is this?" I demanded, my voice barely audible.
The stranger anxiously looked around before pulling the phone back. "That is the reality. Lena and Ryan are not related. They have spent years together. The whole tale of their long-lost sibling relationship? It’s a cover.”
I grasped the table's edge and shook my head. “No. None of that makes sense. Ryan told me all about how his family lost touch with Lena and then re-established communication last year.” My voice died off, and despite my efforts, uncertainty set in.
"Do you suppose someone who loves you will propose to another woman?" He inquired, his tone sharp. "And in your bed?"
The words struck like a hammer. I felt the breath leave my lungs, my mind racing with wrath and astonishment.
"Who are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Why should I trust you?"
He crossed his arms and leaned back. "My name is Daniel. I’m Lena’s ex. Two years ago, she vanished, and we were engaged. She departed without saying anything, but when I saw her with Ryan on social media, I began to piece things together."
My stomach turned over. "You were her fiancé?"
"Yeah," he answered in a sour tone. "And she ruined my life, just as she is doing to you. Ryan is not blameless in this situation. They’re con artists, Stacey. They take advantage of others, deplete them, and then abandon them. You are merely their newest target."
I wanted to shout and tell him he was lying, but something about his explanation made too much sense. Lena's abrupt presence, Ryan's secrecy, and his constant defense of her all fit too neatly.
“They’re con artists?” I repeated, my voice hollow.
Daniel nodded. “Think about it. Has Ryan ever asked you for anything big? Money? Investments? Promises he’d pay you back later?”
I felt the memories rush through me. Ryan requested the money when he was "between jobs." I allowed him to use the credit card for "emergencies." The money he had persuaded me to put in his "enterprise."
"Oh no,” I said in a subtle tone with trembling hands. “Why was I so blind to this facts”
Daniel softened his tone and remarked, "You are not the first. You will not be the last if you do not take action."
My thoughts raced as I glanced at him. "Why are you now telling me this? Why haven't you warned me sooner?"
"I only found out your address a few days ago," he said. "It was not simple finding them. But when I realized Ryan had proposed to Lena, I knew I needed to move quickly."
The world around me seemed to be closing in. My trust, my love, my entire future with Ryan—it was all a lie.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"You need to leave him," Daniel stated forcefully. "Cut him off entirely. But first, you will need confirmation of what he is doing. Proof that if he does this again, it will ruin him."
I swallowed forcefully, my head spinning. “Proof? How should I obtain that?"
"I have a few documents that may be useful," Daniel stated. "Cash records, text messages, and pictures." But you must look farther. Look through his emails and accounts. There’s always a trail.”
I knew Daniel was correct, but the idea of looking through Ryan's belongings made my stomach turn. Lena and Ryan could not get away with this, in my opinion. Not after all of what they had done.
I continued, my voice more steady now, "Send me whatever you have."
Daniel took out a paper to write down a number after nodding. "When you are ready, text me. Be careful, Stacey. Ryan is not simply charming. He’s dangerous when cornered.”
I nodded and slipped the paper into my pocket. I was filled with a weird mixture of thankfulness and fear as Daniel got up to go. It was no longer just about me. The goal was to prevent Lena and Ryan from causing harm to others.
---
It seemed colder and more empty when I arrived home. There were memories of Ryan at every corner, and now they all seemed poisoned. I roamed the living room, attempting to think of what I should do next.
I could not face him just yet—not without evidence. However, I had to move quickly before he noticed I was on him.
I took out my laptop and started looking through my bank statements and emails. The more I dug, the more I could see the pattern. Withdrawals from our joint account and transactions I do not recall authorizing all points to Lena Carter.
My rage threatened to explode from the bubbles inside of me. How did I allow this to occur? How could I have allowed him to control me so easily?
To my surprise, there was a knock on the door. I shut off the laptop and looked through the peephole, my heart pounding. It was Ryan.
I steadied myself with a long breath and then opened the door.
His voice was warm and comforting as he responded, "Hey." I almost thought it was real for a second.
“What do you want, Ryan?” Leaning against the doorframe, I questioned.
He frowned, his eyes scanning my face. "I stopped by to check on you. You’ve been acting… strange.”
“Strange?” I said it again, making myself chuckle bitterly. “Strange how?”
“Distant. Cold. Like you’re hiding something,” he said, stepping closer. "All I want to do is make sure we are all right."
"Everything is good," I responded, folding my arms. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
Ryan narrowed his eyes as he watched me. "Are you certain? Because it does not seem like it."
I sounded calm and feigned a grin. "Perhaps the journey has simply worn me out. You are aware of the stress that employment might cause."
He nodded slowly, but I could detect distrust in his eyes. "If you say so."
I had a rush of adrenaline as he turned to go. "Ryan," I interrupted him. "Are you still able to use our shared account? I have recently seen some unusual activities."
He stopped, his back to me. For a second, I believed he would not react.
"I will look into it," he eventually answered, his voice tense. "Probably a mistake."
As the door closed behind him, I took a hesitant breath. His reply had revealed everything I needed to know. Something was hidden from me, and I was determined to discover what it was.
---
I hardly slept at all that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined Lena and Ryan making fun of me. By daybreak, my resolve to defeat them was stronger than ever.
I began putting the pieces together with Daniel's assistance. Fake identities, stolen money, and misled victims were all evident in the documents he supplied me.
Ryan and Lena weren’t just con artists. They were criminals.
