CHAPTER 4: The Serpent Returns
Six months had passed since the wedding.
Sarah was thriving. She had launched her own small catering business, using Ryan's connections to secure contracts with corporate events. She was no longer the broken woman clutching a torn blouse in a restaurant.
She was Sarah Voss. Confident. Independent. Happy.
Until the morning she opened her laptop and saw the email.
"Dear Mrs. Voss,
I hope you're enjoying your new life. But I wonder if Ryan knows the truth about how we met? You didn't just 'support' Mark—you helped him hide assets from his previous business partners. I have proof.
Meet me at the Riverside Café tomorrow at 10 AM, or I send everything to the press.
—Lena"
Sarah's blood ran cold.
She didn't tell Ryan. Not yet. She needed to see what Lena wanted.
The next morning, Sarah walked into the café with her shoulders back and her chin high.
Lena was sitting in the corner, wearing dark sunglasses and a nervous smile. She looked thinner. Less confident. Her designer clothes were gone, replaced by cheap knockoffs.
"Sarah. Thanks for coming."
Sarah didn't sit. "What do you want, Lena?"
Lena pulled out a manila folder. "Proof that you helped Mark hide money from his old investors. I found it in his files before I left. You knew he was running a scam, but you stayed silent because you were too afraid to leave him."
Sarah stared at the folder.
It was true.
When Mark had first started his "investment" business, Sarah had discovered he was taking money from elderly couples and promising returns he couldn't deliver. She had confronted him. He had beaten her down emotionally, convincing her that if she spoke, they would both go to prison. She had stayed silent to protect herself.
"I didn't commit fraud," Sarah said quietly. "I just didn't report it."
"Exactly." Lena smiled coldly. "That makes you an accomplice. I've already sent copies to the district attorney. But I'm willing to destroy them... if you give me one million dollars."
Sarah laughed bitterly. "You ruined my life in public, and now you want money from me?"
"I want what I deserve," Lena snapped. "Mark promised me a future. You ruined that by exposing the truth."
"No." Sarah stepped closer. "You ruined yourself. But fine. I'll get you your money. Give me two days."
May you like
Lena's face lit up with greedy triumph.
She didn't see Sarah subtly pressing the record button on her phone.
