Chapter 3

On the screen, Martin completely dropped his act.

He wrapped Yvette up in his arms, holding her close.

Helen stood nearby, eagerly slicing watermelon for Lucas, who was sprawled on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone.

They looked just like a perfect, happy family—so close that it made me sick.

When I watched that, my heart burned with hate.

Yvette moved in across the hall with Lucas just two months after Martin and I got married.

I always felt bad for her—a single mom with a young son.

So I helped. I looked after them.

Whenever I had something tasty, I saved her a share.

I never once complained when Helen or Martin offered to help her out.

I never realized they all just saw me as the sucker in the room, ripe for the taking.

This time, I swore I'd get my revenge on every last one of those who humiliated and betrayed me.

I owed it to myself—to the woman who'd died miserably in that hallway.

Just as I expected, the three of them huddled together, discussing whether to put up the 150,000 dollars for me.

Helen was clearly anxious.

But Martin was all for it.

Maybe I'd played my part too well.

Martin was totally convinced I was just a sad little lovesick puppy he could twist around his finger whenever he wanted.

Seeing Helen hesitate, Martin didn't even blink. "Mom, what's there to worry about? You really think I can't keep Rachel under control?"

"Once she sells the house, I'll divorce her and kick her out with not a dime to her name," he said, cold as ice.

"Then I can finally be with Yvette and Lucas, out in the open for everyone to see," he added, sounding dead set on it.

Yvette hugged him tight, her voice thick with emotion. "Marty, you're so good to me. I knew waiting all these years would be worth it."

"But what if she refuses? What if she won't just walk away with nothing?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

Martin's eyes flashed with a ruthless glint. "If she fights it, getting rid of a woman with no family is easy."

Yvette laughed so hard that she nearly doubled over.

"You're so bad," she teased, her tone flirtatious.

Thinking they had me totally under their thumb, they decided to pay off my 150,000-dollar mortgage.

In the end, Helen put up 100,000 dollars.

Yvette covered the remaining 50,000 dollars.

That's when I realized Yvette had been holding Martin's salary card all this time.

No wonder she never had to work and was always living the good life.

And me? In all the years Martin and I had been married, he'd never even bought me a bag of chips.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing down the fury that threatened to spill out.

Let them enjoy this.

Soon, they'd learn what hell really felt like.

*****

When I got home, Yvette and Lucas had already left.

Martin handed me a bank card loaded with 150,000 dollars, all solemn and serious.

Then, right in front of Helen, he said, "Rachel, my mom dug into her life savings just so we could get a big house.

"You'd better not mess this up."

I blinked up at Helen and Martin, my eyes full of fake gratitude.

I promised them over and over that I'd take care of it.

Let them keep dreaming about that big house.

After I finished, Martin and Helen were grinning from ear to ear.

I transferred the money from the card to my own account, feeling pretty pleased with myself.

The whole house was practically glowing with fake harmony.