Chapter 13: The Betrayal Hidden in Plain Sight
The photograph shook in my hands.
I stared at the person standing beside Martha.
Someone who had laughed with me.
Someone who had hugged me.
Someone who had raised a glass at my wedding.
Charlotte’s mother.
Victoria.
Nick took the photograph from me.
His face became unreadable.
“No.””
Rebecca stepped closer.
“Let me see.””
She looked at the picture.
Then closed her eyes.
“She knew.””
Lily looked confused.
“Who is she?””
Nick answered quietly.
“Charlotte’s mother.””
The woman who had been waiting for my marriage to collapse.
The woman whose family Martha promised $250,000.
The woman who smiled while my wedding was destroyed.
I felt sick.
“How long?””
Nobody answered.
Nick looked at the photograph again.
“The message said the person you trusted most.””
He looked at me.
“I thought it meant someone close to us.””
I whispered:
“She was.””
A memory flashed.
Victoria holding my hands before the ceremony.
Telling me how beautiful my dress was.
Saying, “You’re finally part of the family.””
I had believed her.
She had been lying to my face.
Rebecca noticed something.
“Turn the picture over.””
Nick did.
There was writing.
A date.
And a location.
A private meeting.
The same week Martha had started pressuring Nick to reconsider our engagement.
Lily looked at the date.
“That was when my mother disappeared.””
Everyone went silent.
Nick looked at her.
“What?””
Lily’s face had gone pale.
“My mother found something.””
“What?””
“She told me she was meeting someone who could prove what happened to Daniel.””
Rebecca looked at the photo.
“Victoria.””
I felt the pieces locking together.
Martha didn’t act alone.
She had help.
But the question remained.
Why?
Why would Victoria help destroy a wedding?
Why would she help hide a murder?
Then Nick’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
Nobody spoke.
Then a woman’s voice came through.
Martha.
Nick’s expression changed.
“Mom?””
We all leaned closer.
“Where are you?””
A shaky breath.
“Nick, listen to me.””
His jaw tightened.
“Why should I?””
“Because I was wrong.””
The words surprised everyone.
Martha Carter admitting she was wrong felt impossible.
Nick looked away.
“What happened?””
Her voice cracked.
“Victoria was never my friend.””
Rebecca stepped closer.
“What is she saying?””
Nick put the call on speaker.
Martha continued.
“She used me.””
Nobody moved.
“She convinced me that Emily had to disappear from your life.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
A pause.
Then Martha whispered:
“Because Victoria knew the trust existed.””
Nick looked at me.
“She wanted the money.””
Martha continued.
“But that wasn’t all.””
“What else?”” Nick asked.
Her voice became quieter.
“She wanted revenge.””
“Revenge for what?””
Martha didn’t answer.
Instead, she said:
“Nick, you need to understand something.””
A long pause.
“Your father didn’t choose Emily because of Sarah.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
Martha continued.
“He chose Emily because…”
The call cut off.
Nick immediately called back.
No answer.
Then a message appeared.
A photo.
Martha sitting in a dark room.
Her hands tied.
Underneath was one sentence.
*Bring the trust documents if you want your mother alive.*
Everyone froze.
Rebecca whispered:
“Victoria.””
Nick looked at the photo.
His face changed.
“She has her.””
I grabbed his hand.
“We need to go.””
He looked at me.
“No.””
“Nick.””
“I’m not losing you too.””
I stepped closer.
“You won’t.””
His eyes filled.
“You don’t know that.””
I looked at the woman who had destroyed my wedding.
The woman who had hurt me.
And somehow, I still knew one thing.
Nobody deserved to die because of their mistakes.
“We save her.””
Nick stared at me.
Then nodded.
Rebecca gathered the documents.
Lily grabbed the journal.
And together, we walked toward the final secret Martha and Victoria had tried to bury.
But before we left, Nick received one more message.
Not from Victoria.
From Martha.
May you like
Only three words.
*Don’t trust Rebecca.*
