Chapter 4
Alex's words were like a light flickering on in the dark.
The glow was weak, but it pointed her in a direction.
It was a path Helen had never considered, one where she would have to swallow her pride and take the humiliation.
She needed to go home.
Back to a place that felt less and less like home.
Face the couple who disgusted her.
And she had to act like nothing was wrong, even go out of her way to make up with them.
For someone whose heart had just been broken, it was almost unbearable.
Helen dug her nails deep into her palm.
The pain kept her grounded.
She knew Alex was right.
Now wasn't the time to act on impulse.
She couldn't just walk away in defeat and give up everything she and Richard had built over a lifetime to some outsider.
She'd given forty years to this family.
She had every right to take back what was hers.
"Helen, I know this is tough," Alex said, his voice full of sympathy.
"But remember, going back isn't giving in. It's fighting back," he added.
"You're a warrior going undercover. Every step you take is for the final victory."
A warrior.
The word brought a glimmer of hope back to Helen's tired eyes.
She took a deep breath, as if making up her mind.
"I understand," she said.
"Thank you, Alex," she added.
"Helen, no need to be so formal with me," Alex said, then patiently showed her again how to use the voice recorder, making sure she got every step.
"Just remember, your safety comes first.
"If anything feels off, get out right away. We'll figure something else out.
"And whatever evidence you get, send it to me the moment you have it.
"Don't keep it on your phone, or they might find it."
Helen took it all in, making sure she didn't miss a single detail.
She clutched the tiny voice recorder in her palm.
The chill of the metal gave her a bit of courage.
After Alex left, Helen sat alone in her hotel room for a long time.
She kept running through her lines and expressions in her head, practicing them again and again.
She stood in front of the mirror, forcing herself to pull off a smile that looked tired, with just a hint of desperation to please.
The woman staring back at her was a stranger, small and beaten down.
Helen closed her eyes, burying all her hatred and humiliation in the deepest corner of her heart.
By noon, she checked out of the hotel.
She dragged the suitcase she'd slammed to the floor yesterday, step by step, back to the place that was both familiar and strange.
Standing at the front door, her heart was thundering in her chest.
Every beat felt like a drum pounding inside her.
Her hands trembled so much, she couldn't get the key into the lock, no matter how hard she tried.
Finally, the door opened.
In the living room, Richard and Linda were sitting on the couch, watching TV.
As soon as they heard the door open, they both turned to look.
When they saw Helen, Richard's brows instantly furrowed, impatience written all over his face.
Linda's eyes flashed with a subtle, almost hidden smugness.
Helen didn't lash out like she did yesterday, nor did she confront them.
She quietly pulled her suitcase inside and slipped on her slippers.
Then she approached Richard, head bowed, her voice soft and a bit rough.
"Rich, I'm sorry," she said.
"I was too impulsive yesterday," she added.
Richard froze, caught completely off guard.
He obviously never expected Helen to pull such a sudden turnaround after just one night.
Linda was surprised too, but she quickly put on her sweetest act, her face blooming with fake warmth.
She got up, walked over to Helen, and put on a show of affection by taking her hand.
"Oh, Helen, you're finally back!" Linda gushed.
"I told Rich that couples never stay mad overnight and that you were only upset.
"Come on, have a seat."
Linda's hand was warm, but to Helen it felt like a snake sliding around her arm, slick and cold.
Helen subtly pulled her hand back, keeping her expression neutral.
She looked at Richard, her tone almost begging.
She said, "I spent the whole night outside, just thinking things through.
"It was my fault. I shouldn't have left without saying anything, and I shouldn't have snapped at Linda.
"Honestly, these past two years, she's been looking after you, and I really appreciate it.
"Please, just let me come back. Let's let's try to live together peacefully."
Her words sounded sincere, and her eyes welled up with tears at just the right moment.
Richard's expression softened.
Seeing Helen back down really stroked his ego and made him feel in charge again.
He cleared his throat, using that patronizing tone like he was scolding a kid.
He said, "Glad you finally know you messed up.
"Look at your age, and you still can't keep your temper.
"Linda is like a sister to you. From now on, be more careful about what you say and do."
With that, he was basically giving Helen permission to stay.
At the same time, he was also acknowledging Linda's status in the house.
Helen sneered inwardly, but outwardly, she wore a look of sudden regret.
"I understand. It won't happen again," she said.
Linda was grinning ear to ear, her smile sweet and fake.
"See? Now that we've cleared the air, everything's fine," Linda said.
"Helen, you must be tired after coming back. Why don't you go lie down for a while.
"Lunch will be ready soon."
She pointed to the guest room, which used to be David's.
That room hadn't been used in ages.
But the master bedroom door was shut tight.
Helen felt another stab in her heart.
She nodded, said nothing, and dragged her suitcase into the guest room.
After closing the door, she leaned against it, feeling completely drained.
Every word of weakness she'd just spoken had drained away the dignity she'd built up over a lifetime.
The room still had all the touches from when her son was a kid.
The desk, the wardrobe, and those old, yellowed posters of basketball stars on the wall.
Everything here felt like the heart of the family.
But now, the woman who'd built this home was just a guest in her own house.
She opened her suitcase and took out the voice recorder Alex had given her.
She pressed the record button and slipped it quietly into her coat pocket.
From this moment on, the battle was officially underway.