Chapter 5: The Enemy I Never Suspected
The door opened slowly.
I grabbed the nearest object I could find.
A heavy picture frame.
Ready to defend myself.
Then I saw her.
My mother-in-law.
Linda Carter.
She stood in the doorway wearing a designer coat and a look of disappointment.
Not fear.
Not surprise.
Disappointment.
"Emily, put that down.""
I stared at her.
"What are you doing here?""
She walked inside like she still owned the place.
"I came to talk.""
I lowered the frame slightly.
"At midnight?""
She looked around the bedroom.
"The timing isn't important.""
I almost laughed.
"Of course it isn't.""
After everything that happened, she was acting like this was a family disagreement.
Not a crime.
She sat on the edge of the bed.
"Brandon made mistakes.""
I felt my anger rise.
"Mistakes?""
She sighed.
"Emily, marriages end.""
I stared at her.
"People fall out of love.""
I stepped closer.
"People don't fake identities and steal houses when they fall out of love.""
Her expression hardened.
"You always were dramatic.""
That sentence hurt.
Not because it was cruel.
Because it sounded familiar.
Brandon had said the same thing.
I crossed my arms.
"You knew.""
Silence.
A tiny pause.
But it was enough.
"You knew what he was doing.""
Linda looked away.
"Brandon is my son.""
"And I'm your daughter-in-law.""
She smiled sadly.
"No.""
Her words landed like a slap.
"You were always temporary.""
I stared at her.
For twelve years, I had spent holidays with this woman.
Bought her gifts.
Visited her when she was sick.
I thought she loved me.
I was wrong.
"Why are you here?""
She reached into her purse.
And pulled out a folder.
My missing folder.
My stomach dropped.
"You took my documents.""
"I borrowed them.""
"You broke into my office.""
"Emily, please.""
She placed the folder on the bed.
"You don't understand the situation.""
I opened it.
My hands shook.
Inside were copies of my financial statements.
Including documents showing my investments.
"You gave these to Brandon.""
She didn't deny it.
"He needed help.""
I laughed.
"He needed help stealing from me.""
Linda's expression changed.
"You were never supposed to get hurt.""
I stared at her.
"What does that mean?""
She became quiet.
Then she said:
"Brandon was supposed to leave you.""
"With what?""
"Nothing.""
My chest tightened.
"Explain.""
She looked at the floor.
"The house. The money. The business shares. Everything was supposed to transfer before the divorce.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You planned this with him.""
"No.""
Her answer came too quickly.
That was when I knew.
Not all of it.
But enough.
"You didn't plan it.""
I stepped closer.
"You helped.""
Linda said nothing.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from my father.
*I found the woman from the phone call.*
I opened it.
Attached was a photo.
My heart stopped.
Because I knew her.
Everyone knew her.
She was the woman who had been helping my family for years.
The person who attended our wedding.
The person who stood beside me when I bought this house.
The message continued.
*Emily, this woman has been accessing your records for months.*
I looked at the photo again.
Linda saw my face change.
"What happened?""
I turned the screen toward her.
She immediately looked away.
And that confirmed it.
"You know her.""
Linda whispered:
"Emily...""
"Who is she?""
Linda closed her eyes.
Then she said the name.
A name I never expected.
"Rachel.""
My heart raced.
Rachel was Brandon's former business partner.
The woman who had helped him build his company.
The woman who disappeared two years ago after a massive financial dispute.
"Why would Rachel be involved?""
Linda looked terrified.
"Because Brandon doesn't know the whole truth.""
I frowned.
"What truth?""
Before she could answer, my phone rang.
Rachel.
I looked at Linda.
She whispered:
"Don't answer.""
That was the moment I knew I had to.
I pressed the button.
"Hello?""
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Rachel's voice came through.
"Emily.""
Her voice was calm.
Almost friendly.
"You finally found out.""
I gripped the phone.
"Found out what?""
A pause.
Then she said:
"That your husband didn't betray you because he loved Vanessa.""
My breathing stopped.
"Then why?""
Rachel answered:
"Because Vanessa was never the target.""
I looked at Linda.
May you like
Then Rachel spoke the words that changed everything.
"The person Brandon wanted to destroy was you.""
