Chapter 3

At the station, the officers explained that the complaints about my apartment weren't new. Neighbors had called more than once.

Officers had already come by twice, warned the people inside, and left. The parties had continued anyway.

The officer questioning us looked around the room.

"Who arranged tonight's gathering?"

Every eye turned to Jessica. After a moment, she stood and stepped in front of the others.

"It was me. If someone has to take responsibility, let it be me."

She sounded noble, but her arms were trembling.

Matthew pulled her back before the officer could answer.

"Officer, Lauren invited us. She's the tenant, and we were here because she asked us to come."

I turned to him, stunned.

Ryan immediately backed him up. "That's right. We were invited. Nobody broke in."

The others piled on.

"We're just her friends."

"She said it was fine."

I looked at Matthew and Ryan. They knew what repeated noise complaints could lead to. The officers had already warned them twice. Another complaint could mean citations or even a disorderly-conduct charge.

And still, they were willing to put it all on me.

"You both know this isn't just a harmless party anymore," I said.

Neither answered. Jessica had organized the gathering, but neither man could bear to see her face consequences. I was easier to sacrifice.

"Officer, I can prove I wasn't even here when the party started."

I showed him the records from my office. I'd stayed late to finish the paperwork for my transfer, and the timestamps showed I was still at work when the gathering began. The officer reviewed the information, asked a few questions, and copied the relevant records.

Matthew's expression tightened.

"Lauren, don't make this more complicated than it needs to be."

I ignored him. I'd spent too many years trying to make things easier for Matthew. I wasn't about to do it at the expense of my own name.

Once the officers had what they needed, I was allowed to leave. I walked out without another word to any of them.

I submitted an expedited application for my Australian work visa, then booked a flight for five days later.

When I got home, I contacted a real estate agent and put my apartment on the market.

I couldn't stand the thought of staying there, surrounded by things that now felt like reminders of how thoroughly I'd been fooled.

The place was still a mess. Bottles and takeout containers covered the living room.

As I cleaned, I kept finding little things Ryan had given me: a mug, a scarf, a framed photo. I'd kept them because I'd thought they meant something.

Now I wondered how many times he'd handed me a gift, then reported my reaction to Matthew and the others. Had they laughed over how happy I'd looked? Had they placed bets on how long I'd keep believing him?

I shoved everything into a garbage bag.

I was about to take it downstairs when someone knocked.

Two officers stood outside.

"Ms. Miller, we need you to come with us. There have been additional complaints and statements concerning repeated disturbances at this address."

"I already gave you proof that I was at work."

"We understand. But new information has come in, and we need to ask you some more questions."

I followed them, still trying to understand how this had become my problem.

On the drive, I learned the truth.

This wasn't the first time Matthew and his friends had used my apartment for a party.

Ryan had a key. Whenever he and I reached another milestone in our relationship, he'd let the group in to celebrate behind my back.

Every time Ryan and I got closer, they threw a party in my home.

And Matthew's assistant, Jason Ward, had put together a paper trail to make it look as though I'd organized the gatherings myself.

There were records and statements supposedly showing that I'd invited everyone over and repeatedly ignored the neighbors' complaints.

They hadn't just blamed me for one night. They'd been building a case against me.

By the time we reached the station, I felt sick.

Near the entrance, I spotted Matthew and the others gathered around Jessica. She seemed ready to leave, perfectly comfortable, as if the whole mess had already been settled.

Matthew came over.

"Lauren, I need you to help us out."

I said nothing.

"Jessica can't afford to have this affect her career. If someone has to take responsibility, let it be you."

He spoke as though he were asking me for a small favor.

"Once this is over, we'll get married. You can leave your job, and I'll take care of you."

I stared at him. He was asking me to take the blame for something I hadn't done and offering marriage as payment.

Jessica gave a little whistle.

"That's quite a deal, Lauren. Five days in jail in exchange for a lifetime as Mrs. Sullivan. I'd say you're getting the better end of it."

The others laughed.

I walked straight past them and back into the station.

Then I called Michael.

I explained what had happened and told him the police were now treating me as responsible for the repeated parties. He didn't hesitate.

"Don't sign anything or agree to anything until I get there."

He arrived shortly afterward with my office records. He confirmed my late hours, the work I'd been completing, and the dates I'd been in the building instead of at home.

He spoke directly with the officers and helped establish that the story being told about me didn't match the facts.