Chapter 8: The Wife Who Was Never Supposed To Know
The police questioned Daniel for three hours.
I sat behind the glass in the observation room, watching him answer every question.
His hands were folded.
His shoulders were tense.
He looked exhausted.
But I couldn’t tell if I was seeing my husband…
or someone I never truly knew.
Detective Harris placed another file on the table.
“Mr. Carter, this prescription was ordered using your authorization.””
Daniel nodded.
“I understand.””
“And the medication was delivered by someone who claimed to represent you.””
“I never sent anyone.””
“Then explain why they had your information.””
Daniel looked down.
“I can’t.””
The detective leaned forward.
“That’s a problem.””
I watched Daniel close his eyes.
He looked broken.
Not guilty.
But broken.
And I hated that I couldn’t tell the difference anymore.
Later, when he came back to the room, he didn’t approach me immediately.
He stood near the door.
“I know what you’re thinking.””
I looked away.
“Do you?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know what I’m feeling?””
He was silent.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“I don’t know what’s real anymore.””
Daniel walked closer.
“I love you.””
I shook my head.
“Love isn’t enough.””
That sentence hurt both of us.
Because it was true.
Love did not stop my sister.
Love did not stop my parents.
Love did not stop a doctor from betraying me.
Love did not stop secrets.
A nurse entered before Daniel could respond.
“Emma?””
I looked up.
“Yes?””
“There’s someone here to see you.””
I frowned.
“Who?””
The nurse hesitated.
“Your father.””
My entire body tensed.
“No.””
The nurse looked uncomfortable.
“He says he has information.””
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
“Absolutely not.””
But Detective Harris, who had returned to the hallway, stopped him.
“Let him come in.””
Daniel looked angry.
“Why?””
“Because if he’s involved, we need him talking.””
I didn’t want to see my father.
But I needed answers.
A few minutes later, he entered.
He looked older.
Not like the powerful man who controlled family decisions.
Just a frightened old man.
“Emma.””
I stared at him.
“What do you want?””
He looked at my stomach.
At Lily.
Then looked away.
“I made mistakes.””
I almost laughed.
“Mistakes?””
I pointed toward the door.
“Your daughter tried to kill my baby.””
His face fell.
“I know.””
The room went silent.
Daniel stepped forward.
“You know?””
My father looked at him.
“I know everything.””
Detective Harris moved closer.
“Then start talking.””
My father sat down.
“Rachel was never supposed to be the one who attacked you.””
I felt anger rise.
“I’ve heard that before.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“You don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
He took a deep breath.
“The plan was to make it look like a medical complication.””
My hands tightened.
“Using the poison.””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
“And Rachel ruined it.””
His eyes closed.
“She got impatient.””
I stared at him.
“She wanted me to lose my baby.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He looked at me.
“Because she thought if the baby died before birth, the trust would go to her.””
Detective Harris interrupted.
“That’s not what the documents say.””
My father looked nervous.
“What do you mean?””
The detective placed the trust papers down.
“Your daughter would not have received the money.””
My father froze.
“What?””
“The original beneficiary was changed.””
My father’s face turned pale.
“Who changed it?””
Nobody spoke.
Detective Harris looked at me.
“Emma.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“The amendment was signed three months before your pregnancy.””
I shook my head.
“That’s impossible.””
The detective opened the file.
“It was legally filed.””
Daniel looked confused.
“Who signed it?””
Detective Harris turned the paper around.
My blood ran cold.
Because the signature was mine.
My father stared.
“That’s why they needed you gone.””
I looked at him.
“What are you saying?””
He whispered:
“Someone has been pretending to be you for months.””
My heart stopped.
Someone had forged my identity.
Someone had changed the trust.
Someone had planned everything.
And then my phone buzzed.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*You’re finally asking the right questions.*
Another message arrived.
*But you’re still blaming the wrong family.*
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Then came the final message.
*Ask your husband who his first wife was.*
