5
744words
“Just a joke. Why so serious?”
I turned to Margaret. "Mom, if you love Claire, why not adopt her? Then she can be your daughter properly."
They went silent, faces grim.
I ate happily, unbothered.
Nathan and Margaret would push for divorce before the lottery claim. My job was to stay sharp—their malice knew no bounds.
That night, I slept in our room while Nathan, Margaret and Claire stayed up watching TV.
Margaret had invited Claire to stay, likely to plot.
They didn't know I hid a recording phone behind the couch which they were sitting on.
At midnight, after they retired, I took out the phone that revealed everything.
Claire's wisper came out first. "Nate, Ma'am, my baby’s three months along. It'll be found soon. What do we do?"
I gasped. Claire was pregnant with Nathan’s child?
I'd checked—my body was fertile. Nathan was the problem, I thought. I never mentioned it to save his ego. But Claire’s baby—whose was it?
Margaret croon, "Our first grandson will have his rightful place. I'll make sure it's a Carter, proud and proper."
"As for that shrew, I've hired men to catch her in adultery. She'll be lucky to leave with her clothes."
Nathan chuckled, "With her heart condition? The shock might finish her. Saves us a divorce.
I shivered. They were vile enough to kill me.
No need to have mercy, then.
Late that night, I called Nathan’s cousin, Sophie, inviting her over soon.
In my last life, Sophie "cared" for me when I was abandoned, but tortured me, making my final days really a hell.
I’d intended to let it go, but they forced my hand.
Nathan took a few days off for me to "rest," then left on a“business trip”with Margaret, leaving me alone.
Right after, Sophie arrived. Bossing me around, she acted like she owned the place.
She even demanded our master bedroom. I pretended to protest, then let her have it before moving to the guest room.
It's hard to talk sense into someone hell-bent on destruction. Since she was determined to court disaster, I might as well save myself the hassle.
Perfect.
Late that night, I heard rustling outside my door.
Peeking out, I saw Nathan and Margaret sneak back, letting in some strangers.
In the dark, several figures quietly crept into the master bedroom.
Nathan and Margaret waited outside,ready to "catch" the adulterers in the act. Little do they know, I'm already in the spare room, and their 'dear cousin' is in the master bedroom.
A woman’s scream rang out, then the house fell silence again.
The bedroom was soundproof, so I didn't hear anything else.
Two hours later, Nathan stormed into the door, raging, "Emily, how dare you bring a man home while I’m away on business? Now I have no choice but to divorce you!"
But when he flipped on the light, he was stunned. "Sophie? Why are you here?"
I feign waking up, opening the spare room door. "Honey, Mom, you’re back?"
At the sound of Sophie's name, Margaret rushed in, shrieking, "Sophie?!"
I joined the chaos. Sophie was tangled with the men, all naked, a shocking sight.
She screamed, "Who are you? I’ll sue you for assault!"
Margaret threw a blanket over her, glaring at the men. "What are you waiting for? Get out!"
As those intruders fled away, Nathan's eyes burned with fire. He turned on me. "Why’s Sophie in this room?"
I trembled, looking rather frightened. "I was lonely, so I invited her. She wanted the master bedroom, so I gave it to her."
“Who were those men? We must call the cops, don't let them go this way.”
Nathan’s hatred was palpable, his teeth grinding. "I’ll handle it. You don't need to worry about it."
He couldn’t risk to call the police. If he did, the men would tell the truth, landing he and Margaret in trouble..
Sophie had to bare the blame alone.
Nathan took her to the hospital, while Margaret scolded me furiously, "This is all your fault. Why did you suddenly invite her here?"
I smirked. "So it'd be fine if it was me in there? You sound like you knew those men were coming. right?"
Her face betrayed a flash of guilt. "No! Why would I set up my son?"
That day, Sophie was admitted with multiple bruises, internal injuries. She would be bedridden for weeks.
