Chapter 8: The Woman Who Built Her Lies for Years
Marcus refused to believe it at first.
He wanted to.
He wanted to tell himself Ethan was bitter.
That this was jealousy.
That this was a man from the past trying to destroy his family.
But then Ethan placed the evidence on the table.
And Marcus couldn’t look away.
Emails.
Messages.
Dates.
Conversations.
All showing Rebecca’s interest in his financial situation before they ever became serious.
Nia watched her father’s face change.
That hurt the most.
Because she realized Marcus wasn’t just discovering Rebecca’s betrayal.
He was mourning the person he thought he knew.
“She used me,” he whispered.
Ethan didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
The documents answered for him.
Nia looked at Marcus.
“Dad…”
He shook his head.
“I’m okay.””
But he wasn’t.
For years, Marcus had believed his second marriage was built on love.
Now he was questioning everything.
Every memory.
Every decision.
Every moment.
That night, Rebecca finally returned.
She walked into the house like nothing happened.
Like she wasn’t the center of a storm.
Marcus was waiting.
“We need to talk.””
Rebecca looked around.
Then noticed the documents.
Her expression changed.
“What did you do?””
Marcus almost laughed.
“What did I do?””
He held up the evidence.
“You tell me.””
Rebecca became defensive.
“You’re listening to strangers now?””
“No.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“I’m listening to facts.””
For the first time, Rebecca looked nervous.
Nia stood nearby.
Watching.
Waiting.
Rebecca looked at her.
“You’re really going to let him destroy this family?””
Nia couldn’t believe the question.
“You did that.””
Rebecca’s face tightened.
“I made mistakes.””
“No.””
Nia shook her head.
“You made plans.””
The words hit.
Rebecca looked away.
Marcus asked:
“Did you know about the house before we got married?””
Silence.
That silence was enough.
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Answer me.””
Rebecca finally whispered:
“Yes.””
Nia felt her heart drop.
Marcus looked devastated.
“How?””
Rebecca sat down.
“When we first met, you talked about your daughter.””
Marcus stared.
“You researched me?””
Rebecca didn’t deny it.
“You were successful. You had property. You had security.””
“And my daughter?””
Rebecca looked uncomfortable.
“I knew you would never abandon her.””
Marcus laughed sadly.
“So you knew she was the obstacle.””
“No.””
“Yes.””
His voice became firm.
“You saw my daughter as something standing between you and what you wanted.””
Rebecca looked angry.
“You have no idea what I sacrificed.””
Nia stepped forward.
“What did you sacrifice?””
Rebecca looked at her.
“I raised you.””
Nia stared.
“You were my stepmother.””
“I was there.””
“You were.””
Nia nodded.
“But being there doesn’t give you ownership of me.””
Rebecca’s eyes filled.
“You think your mother was perfect?””
The question shocked everyone.
Nia froze.
Rebecca continued.
“She wasn’t.””
Marcus immediately interrupted.
“Stop.””
But Rebecca kept going.
“You don’t know everything about her.””
Nia looked at her.
“Then tell me.””
Rebecca smiled sadly.
“You want the truth?””
“Yes.””
Rebecca looked toward Marcus.
Then Ethan.
Then back at Nia.
“Your mother was planning to leave your father.””
Marcus went silent.
Nia felt confused.
“What?””
Rebecca continued.
“She was going to take you and move away.””
“That’s a lie.””
Marcus’s voice was immediate.
Rebecca looked at him.
“Is it?””
Nobody spoke.
Because for a moment, uncertainty entered the room.
Nia hated that.
She hated that Rebecca could still create doubt.
Then Marcus said:
“My wife was sick.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“She was unhappy.””
Ethan suddenly spoke.
“That’s not true.””
Everyone turned.
Rebecca looked shocked.
“You don’t know what happened.””
Ethan looked at Nia.
“I do.””
He reached into his folder.
He pulled out another letter.
“One your mother wrote to me.””
Marcus stiffened.
Nia looked confused.
“What did it say?””
Ethan handed it over.
Nia read.
Her mother’s handwriting.
Again.
But this time, the words were different.
Her mother wasn’t leaving.
She was afraid.
She wrote that someone was trying to manipulate her family.
Someone close.
Someone who wanted access to what belonged to Nia.
Nia looked up.
Rebecca’s face had gone pale.
“You knew.””
Rebecca said nothing.
Marcus looked at her.
“You knew she was afraid.””
Still nothing.
Then Hailey appeared at the stairs.
She had heard everything.
And she looked at her mother differently.
Not with anger.
With disappointment.
“You knew?””
Rebecca turned.
“Hailey…”
“You knew all this time?””
Hailey’s voice shook.
“You told me Nia was selfish.””
Rebecca froze.
“You told me she didn’t deserve the house.””
Nobody moved.
Hailey wiped her eyes.
“But you were the one trying to take it.””
The room went silent.
May you like
And then Hailey said the one thing nobody expected.
“I have proof.””
