Chapter 6: The Lie Hidden In The Papers
Daniel held the papers but didn’t open them.
The silence was unbearable.
Patricia stood across from us, watching.
Waiting.
She wanted him to believe her.
She always wanted him to believe her.
“Daniel,” I said softly.
He looked at me.
“Don’t just assume she’s telling the truth.””
His jaw tightened.
“I’m not.””
But I saw the doubt.
That tiny hesitation.
The same hesitation that had destroyed me yesterday.
Patricia noticed it too.
“See?””
She pointed at me.
“She’s already controlling the conversation.””
I looked at her.
“You’re unbelievable.””
She shook her head.
“No. I’m a mother protecting her son.””
Daniel opened the first page.
His eyes moved across the paper.
Then his expression changed.
“What is this?””
I stepped closer.
“Let me see.””
He pulled the papers back slightly.
Patricia immediately spoke.
“Don’t let her manipulate you.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Why would I manipulate you?””
No answer.
He kept reading.
Finally, he looked up.
“Is this true?””
My heart dropped.
“What?””
“These documents say you had debt before we married.””
I stared at him.
“That’s it?””
Patricia crossed her arms.
“You never told him.””
I looked at Daniel.
“I told you.””
He frowned.
“When?””
“Before we got engaged.””
The room went silent.
Patricia shook her head.
“You see? She’s changing the story.””
“No.””
I stood.
“I told him about my student loan. I told him everything.””
Daniel looked confused.
“I remember you mentioning school debt.””
“Exactly.””
Patricia smiled.
“But this says something different.””
I grabbed the paper.
Daniel finally let me see it.
My eyes moved down the page.
Then I froze.
Because the signature at the bottom was mine.
But I had never signed that document.
“This is fake.””
Patricia gasped.
“Fake?””
“Yes.””
My voice became steady.
“I never signed this.””
Daniel looked between us.
“How can you be sure?””
“Because that is not my signature.””
Patricia immediately shook her head.
“This is exactly what I warned you about.””
Daniel looked frustrated.
“Mom.””
“No, Daniel. Think.””
She pointed at the papers.
“Who benefits if I look bad?””
I stared at her.
“You.””
The room went quiet.
Patricia’s face hardened.
“What did you say?””
“You created this.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Emma.””
“No.””
I pointed at the papers.
“She wants you to think I’m a liar because she knows you’ll protect her.””
Patricia stepped closer.
“You’re accusing me again.””
“Yes.””
Her eyes narrowed.
Then she smiled.
“You still don’t understand.””
I felt a chill.
“What?””
She leaned closer.
“The attack yesterday wasn’t the plan.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What does that mean?””
Patricia didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at him.
“I was trying to give you a chance to see her true colors.””
My blood ran cold.
Daniel stared at her.
“Mom.””
She continued.
“But now I know.””
She picked up her purse.
“I need to show you what she did after she thought no one was watching.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Don’t.””
But Patricia was already walking toward the door.
She stopped.
Then turned back.
“There’s a reason your camera was turned off.””
Daniel froze.
I felt my stomach drop.
“What are you talking about?””
Patricia smiled.
“Because someone wanted that camera off before I ever touched that mop.””
She opened the door.
And walked outside.
Daniel stood completely still.
Then slowly looked at me.
“Emma…”
I swallowed.
“What?””
His face was filled with fear.
“Why did my mother just say that?””
I had no answer.
Because for the first time…
I wondered if Patricia was lying about everything.
May you like
Or if she had just revealed the one thing I didn’t know.
Someone else had been involved. :::
