Chapter 5 - THE CONSEQUENCE OF TRUST
Two weeks later Emma received a letter.
Handwritten.
No return address.
She opened it with trembling hands.
Dear Emma,
You think you've won.
You think Ethan chose you.
But you're wrong.
He chose the baby.
He chose his guilt.
He didn't choose you.
I know what you did.
I know who you really are.
And soon...
Everyone will know.
Emma's hands shook.
The letter fell to the floor.
She read it three more times.
Each time worse than before.
She called Ethan immediately.
He rushed home from work.
Read the letter.
His face darkened.
"This is sick."
"Who sent it?"
Ethan didn't answer.
But his expression told her everything.
"Ethan?"
"She had the same handwriting as my mother."
Emma felt the world tilt.
"What?"
"Her letters. I've seen them. It's the same slant. The same loops. The same—"
"Ethan, this is insane."
He looked at her.
"I know."
Emma grabbed his arm.
"You need to confront her."
"I will."
"Now."
He nodded.
"You're right."
Emma wasn't expecting him to agree so quickly.
But he did.
Because this wasn't just a letter.
This was a threat.
And threats to his family...
Would never be tolerated again.
Ethan drove to his mother's house.
Furious.
Heart racing.
His hands gripped the steering wheel.
He didn't call ahead.
He didn't knock.
He used his key.
Margaret was in the kitchen.
Sipping tea.
Reading a book.
She looked up.
Smiled.
"Ethan! What a lovely—"
He slammed the letter onto the table.
"Explain."
Margaret's smile vanished.
For a moment she looked guilty.
Then defensive.
"I don't know what—"
"Don't. Don't lie to me."
Margaret's eyes narrowed.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Your handwriting."
"I didn't write that."
"Don't."
"I didn't! I have no reason to—"
Ethan laughed bitterly.
"You have every reason. You've wanted her gone since day one."
Margaret's mask slipped.
Slightly.
But enough.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain."
Margaret was silent.
Ethan waited.
Finally she spoke.
"She's not good enough for you."
"My wife is—"
"She trapped you. She got pregnant. She manipulated you into marriage."
Ethan stared at her.
Incredulous.
"Is that really what you believe?"
Margaret nodded.
"It's what I know."
Ethan shook his head slowly.
"You're wrong."
"I'm not."
"You don't know Emma. You've never wanted to know her."
Margaret stood.
"I know exactly what she is."
"You know nothing."
"I know she's keeping secrets."
Ethan froze.
"What?"
Margaret smiled.
Victorious.
"You think she told you everything?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Your wife has a past, Ethan. A past she hasn't shared."
Ethan's heart pounded.
"Prove it."
Margaret reached into her drawer.
Pulled out a file.
Photographs.
Documents.
Letters.
"I've been investigating her for months."
Ethan stared at the file.
Dread flooded his chest.
"Give me that."
"Look at it. See the truth."
Ethan took the file.
His hands shook.
He opened it.
Photographs of Emma.
From years ago.
Before they met.
She looked different.
Younger.
Harder.
The documents showed something else entirely.
An address.
A name he didn't recognize.
A past she had never mentioned.
Ethan looked up at his mother.
May you like
"What is this?"
"Ask her."
