Chapter 7: The Family That Helped Him Betray Me
I stared at the document until the words blurred.
Melissa Carter.
Jake's sister.
The same woman who had stood beside the pool and laughed while I climbed out of the water.
The same woman who told me I needed to "take a joke.""
My hands went cold.
"No.""
Jake stepped toward me.
"Emma, let me explain.""
I looked up.
"Explain what?""
His mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Because there was no explanation that could make this normal.
Marcus leaned against the wall.
"I told you she would find out eventually.""
Jake turned sharply.
"Shut up.""
"No.""
Marcus's voice stayed calm.
"You spent years pretending she was clueless.""
I looked at Jake.
"How long?""
He rubbed his face.
"Emma.""
"How long did you and Melissa plan this?""
His silence answered.
I laughed softly.
It was a painful sound.
"My husband and his sister.""
Jake shook his head.
"It's not what you think.""
"Then tell me what it is.""
He looked at Marcus.
Then back at me.
"I made mistakes.""
"Mistakes?""
I held up the document.
"You tried to transfer my company.""
"I was trying to protect us.""
I stared.
"Protect us from what?""
Jake didn't answer.
Marcus stepped forward.
"From the consequences of his own choices.""
Jake glared at him.
"Don't.""
But Marcus continued.
"Three years ago, Jake invested money into a private business deal.""
I looked at Jake.
"What deal?""
"A real estate project.""
"Did it fail?""
Marcus nodded.
"Completely.""
I swallowed.
"How much did he lose?""
Marcus looked at me.
"More than he had.""
The room became silent.
Jake sat down.
For the first time, he looked older.
"I thought I could fix it.""
I crossed my arms.
"So you stole from me?""
"No.""
"You hid my accounts.""
"I was going to pay it back.""
"You used my name.""
Jake looked away.
That was the answer.
I walked toward the window.
Outside, our neighbors were walking their dogs.
Cars passed by.
The world continued like my entire life hadn't just collapsed.
Then I remembered something.
A conversation from two years ago.
Jake sitting at the kitchen table.
Telling me he needed access to some paperwork.
I had trusted him.
I had handed him everything.
Because he was my husband.
I turned around.
"Did Melissa know?""
Jake didn't respond.
"Did she?""
Marcus answered.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
Another betrayal.
Jake's sister had watched me invite her into my home.
Celebrate holidays with her.
Share family memories.
All while knowing what her brother was doing.
My phone suddenly rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
"Emma?""
His voice sounded urgent.
"Where are you?""
"Home.""
"Leave.""
I froze.
"What?""
"Emma, I just received a notification.""
My grip tightened.
"About what?""
"Someone attempted to access the emergency ownership transfer.""
I looked at Jake.
He immediately stood.
"What did he say?""
I ignored him.
"Daniel, who attempted it?""
A pause.
Then:
"Melissa.""
My chest tightened.
Jake looked shocked.
Even he hadn't expected that.
Daniel continued.
"Emma, listen carefully. You need to understand something.""
"What?""
"The transfer request was only the beginning.""
I looked at the documents scattered across the table.
"What else is there?""
His voice lowered.
"Your marriage certificate.""
I frowned.
"What about it?""
"Emma...""
Daniel hesitated.
Then said:
"Someone filed paperwork claiming your marriage was built on false financial information.""
I couldn't speak.
Jake looked at me.
"What happened?""
I stared at him.
For the first time, I didn't see my husband.
I saw a stranger.
Because now I had one question.
May you like
If Jake and Melissa were willing to destroy my finances...
What else were they willing to destroy?
