When Brenda stood to leave, I noticed the luxury watch on her wrist.
It matched an eighteen-thousand-dollar receipt I had found inside Mark’s coat two days earlier.
As I cleared the table, I noticed a paper beneath Brenda’s chair.
It was a receipt from a law firm specializing in bankruptcy and debt restructuring.
Brenda was receiving huge secret payments.
She was wearing an eighteen-thousand-dollar watch.
Yet she was apparently in serious financial trouble.
I sent a copy of the receipt to Andrew.
Later that night, Mark came home smelling of bourbon.
He left his phone on the living-room table while he went upstairs to shower.
The screen lit up.
A message from Brenda appeared.
*If you don’t pay them tomorrow, I’m finished.*
Then another.
*If there isn’t enough cash, mortgage the house. Make Laura sign.*
I felt my chest tighten.
Our home had been purchased largely with money I inherited from my father.
Both Mark and I were listed on the deed.
Without my signature, no legitimate lender could use it as collateral.
Then a third message appeared.
*Ofelia already agreed. Once Laura is out, we clear my debt, put down the deposit on your mother’s retirement villa, and start over in our new place.*
That was when everything became clear.
Ofelia hadn’t simply been cruel because she disliked me.
She had been deliberately wearing me down, hoping I would eventually pack a suitcase and leave with nothing.
