Chapter 7 - A WAR ON TWO FRONTS
Three weeks passed.
No contact from Margaret.
No letters.
No calls.
No visits.
Emma felt the absence like a missing tooth.
Strange.
Unsettling.
But also peaceful.
Lily was growing fast.
Walking.
Talking.
Laughing.
Life moved forward.
But not everyone was happy.
One afternoon Emma received another letter.
This time with a return address.
She opened it cautiously.
Dear Mrs. Walker,
We regret to inform you that your husband's employment situation is under review.
An anonymous complaint has been filed regarding workplace conduct.
Please contact us at your earliest convenience.
Emma stared at the letter.
Workplace complaint?
Ethan had never had a single complaint.
Ever.
She called him immediately.
"What?"
"Did you get a letter from your boss?"
Ethan was silent.
"Ethan?"
"I got one too."
"What does it say?"
Ethan's voice was strained.
"I've been placed on administrative leave."
Emma's stomach dropped.
"Until what?"
"Until the investigation is over."
She gripped the phone.
"Who filed the complaint?"
"I don't know."
"Ethan, this has to be your mother."
"I know."
Emma's mind raced.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing. Just wait."
"How long?"
Ethan sighed.
"They said up to six weeks."
"Six weeks without pay?"
"I have savings."
"Ethan, we can't—"
"We'll manage."
But Emma could hear the worry.
Beneath his calm voice.
Beneath his careful words.
He was terrified.
Days turned into weeks.
Ethan stayed home.
Applying for jobs.
Making calls.
Waiting for answers.
No one would hire him with an open complaint.
Emma watched him spiral.
His pride.
His confidence.
His identity.
All of it crumbling.
She tried to help.
"Maybe I should talk to her."
"No."
"Ethan—"
"No. You stay out of it."
"She's destroying us."
"She's trying to."
Emma couldn't stay still.
She made a decision.
A dangerous one.
The next morning Emma drove to Margaret's house.
She didn't call first.
She didn't knock.
She walked inside.
Margaret was in her usual spot.
Drinking tea.
Reading.
She looked up.
"Emma."
"Margaret."
The older woman smiled coldly.
"To what do I owe this surprise?"
"You know exactly why I'm here."
Margaret set down her cup.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"The complaint. Against Ethan."
Margaret's face remained impassive.
"I know nothing about any complaint."
"Liar."
Margaret's eyes widened.
"You can't speak to me like that."
"Watch me."
Emma stepped closer.
"You want to destroy me? Fine. But leave Ethan out of it."
"Ethan is my son."
"Then act like it."
Margaret stood.
"You have no idea—"
"I know you filed that complaint."
"You can't prove that."
"I don't have to. Ethan knows. I know. Everyone we love will know."
Margaret's mask slipped.
"Get out of my house."
"No."
"Get out!"
Emma didn't move.
"Fix it."
"Excuse me?"
"Call the company. Withdraw the complaint."
Margaret laughed.
"You think I'm that stupid?"
"I think you're that desperate."
The words landed.
Margaret's face reddened.
"You ungrateful little—"
"Call them. Or I will."
Margaret stared at her.
"Who would believe you?"
Emma smiled.
Ethan's smile.
"They believe the truth. Especially when it's ugly."
Margaret's composure cracked.
For the first time...
She looked uncertain.
Emma turned to leave.
"You have 24 hours."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll tell everyone what you did. Not just the complaint. Everything."
Margaret's face went pale.
The door slammed.
Emma drove away.
Her heart racing.
Her hands shaking.
But she had done it.
She had stood up.
She had fought back.
Now she just had to wait.
That night Ethan's phone rang.
His boss.
The complaint had been withdrawn.
Anonymous source.
Case closed.
Ethan stared at his phone.
"What happened?"
Emma smiled weakly.
"I happened."
He pulled her close.
"What did you do?"
"I saved us."
Ethan didn't ask for details.
He just held her.
May you like
And for the first time in weeks...
They both felt hope.
