CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET INSIDE THE MARRIAGE
CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET INSIDE THE MARRIAGE
Emma almost slammed the door.
Almost.
Then she looked at the little boy hiding behind Sophie.
He couldn't have been older than four.
He looked terrified.
"Come inside," Emma said quietly.
An hour later, Sophie finally told the truth.
"The baby wasn't Jason's."
Emma froze.
"What?"
Sophie looked down.
"I lied."
Emma stood up so fast her chair nearly fell.
"You destroyed my life over a lie?"
Sophie burst into tears.
"Mom made me do it."
Emma stared.
"What are you talking about?"
Sophie explained everything.
Five years earlier, she had become pregnant after a brief relationship with a college classmate.
Terrified, she told their mother.
Their mother panicked.
She believed Emma was too career-focused and would eventually leave Texas anyway.
But Jason came from a wealthy family.
She didn't want to lose him.
So she convinced Sophie to claim Jason was the father.
Jason denied it at first.
Until Emma's parents offered him a share in the family business.
Emma felt sick.
"Everyone knew?"
Sophie nodded.
"Everyone except you."
Emma couldn't breathe.
Her entire family had betrayed her.
Again.
Then Sophie revealed something even worse.
"Jason became violent after the business started failing."
"He drinks. Gambles. He blames me for everything."
Emma looked at the bruises.
"They're from him?"
Sophie nodded.
Just then, someone started pounding on the front door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Open the door, Sophie!" a man's voice shouted.
Jason.
Emma looked through the window.
Jason wasn't alone.
Two police officers stood beside him.
"He told them I kidnapped my own son," Sophie whispered.
Emma frowned.
"Wait."
Something wasn't right.
Then one officer looked directly at Emma.
May you like
And subtly shook his head.
END OF CHAPTER 2.
