Summary

In Chapter 31, Vanessa continues her story of what happened after the gala. She had fallen to the floor after Richard hit her. He grabbed her by the hair to pull her up and told her: “You need to remember that even when I’m not there, I’m always with you” (262). The next morning Richard brought her breakfast in bed. He later sent her a gift by courier, a thick gold cuff style bracelet. It would perfectly cover the bruises that Richard had left.

Back in the present, Vanessa realizes that it will not be enough just to stop Richard from marrying Emma. She must stop him from marrying again. Because she fears Richard will retaliate when he sees the letter she left for Emma by canceling the check he wrote her, Vanessa cashes it immediately. She knows she will need the...