Chapter 3: The Person Who Knew
I didn’t open the message immediately.
For a few seconds, I simply stared at the screen.
Unknown number.
Unknown sender.
One sentence that made my stomach tighten.
*I know what Derek did to you.*
Mr. Collins noticed my expression.
“Problem?””
I locked my phone.
“I don’t know yet.””
He studied me carefully.
“Be careful. People sometimes appear when they want something.””
I nodded.
“I know.””
But deep down, I felt something else.
Not fear.
Recognition.
Because whoever sent that message knew something they shouldn’t have known.
I drove home slowly.
Not because I was afraid.
Because I wanted time.
Time to think.
Time to decide what kind of ending I wanted.
When I pulled into the driveway, I saw Linda standing near the front door.
Her arms were crossed.
Derek stood beside her.
Neither looked worried.
They looked confident.
Like I was a child who had returned after being punished.
I stepped out of the car.
Linda immediately looked inside the trunk.
“Where are the groceries?””
I closed the trunk.
“I didn’t get them.””
Her face changed.
“What?””
Derek walked closer.
“You’re joking.””
“No.””
His jaw tightened.
“Then where were you?””
I looked at him.
“Handling something important.””
Linda laughed.
“Important? My birthday dinner is in less than an hour.””
I said nothing.
She stepped closer.
“You have embarrassed this family enough today.””
I almost smiled.
Embarrassed.
That was the word she chose.
Not hurt.
Not apologize.
Embarrassed.
Derek lowered his voice.
“You need to understand something. This house has rules.””
I looked around.
The house I had renovated.
The walls I had painted.
The kitchen I had redesigned.
The place they claimed as theirs.
“What rules?””
Derek pointed toward the kitchen.
“You do what my mother asks.””
“And if I don’t?””
His expression became cold.
“Then maybe you should find somewhere else to live.””
For years, that sentence would have terrified me.
Today, it sounded almost funny.
Linda walked back inside.
“I’m calling the guests and telling them you ruined my birthday.””
I followed them into the kitchen.
The sixty-dish list was still on the counter.
Untouched.
Exactly where I left it.
Derek picked it up and waved it at me.
“You really thought you could walk away?””
I looked at the paper.
Then at him.
“No.””
He frowned.
“Then what did you think?””
I smiled slightly.
“I thought I would finally stop pretending.””
The room went quiet.
Linda stared at me.
“What does that mean?””
Before I could answer, the doorbell rang.
Derek looked annoyed.
“We’re not expecting anyone yet.””
He walked toward the entrance.
I stayed in the kitchen.
Then I heard a woman’s voice.
“Derek Mercer?””
Everything stopped.
Derek’s voice changed.
“Who are you?””
A few seconds later, footsteps moved toward us.
A woman appeared in the doorway.
She was in her early fifties, holding a small envelope.
Her eyes moved from Derek to me.
Then back to Derek.
“I’ve been looking for you for months.””
Derek went pale.
Linda immediately stepped forward.
“Excuse me. Who are you?””
The woman ignored her.
She looked directly at me.
“I’m sorry it took so long.””
My heart started beating faster.
“Who are you?””
She handed me the envelope.
“Someone who knows the truth about your husband.””
Derek’s face lost all color.
“Don’t open that.””
The woman looked at him.
“You don’t get to decide that anymore.””
I held the envelope.
And before I opened it, I noticed something written on the front.
A date.
A date from before I married Derek.
May you like
And underneath it was a name I had never seen before.
*The woman who signed it was Derek’s first wife.*
