Chapter 5
Laura had been seeing my husband for eleven months.
Eleven months.
While I painted the nursery.
While I attended appointments alone because Ryan was “working late.”
While he told me my mother did not care about me.
He had been building another life.
Detective Torres questioned Laura in a private room.
I insisted on staying.
“Start from the beginning,” Torres said.
Laura twisted a tissue between her fingers.
“I met Ryan at a charity event.”
“What did he tell you about Emily?”
“That they were separated emotionally but staying married because she was sick.”
I stared at the table.
“He slept beside me every night.”
Laura closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“Keep going.”
“He said Emily had inherited money, but most of it would eventually belong to the baby.”
Mom leaned forward.
“Did he discuss insurance?”
Laura looked startled.
“Yes.”
My stomach turned.
“What did he say?”
“He said if Emily died, at least the insurance would make sure the baby had everything she needed.”
Torres exchanged a glance with my mother.
“Did Ryan ever say he wanted Emily dead?”
“No.”
“Did he ever suggest her death would benefit him?”
Laura hesitated.
That hesitation terrified me.
“Once.”
I gripped the chair.
“What did he say?”
“We were arguing. I told him I was tired of waiting.”
Her voice dropped.
“He said, ‘You won’t have to wait much longer.’”
I felt cold from head to toe.
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
Three weeks ago.
Ryan had been unusually sweet then.
He brought flowers.
Rubbed my swollen feet.
Told me I was the most important woman in his life.
I suddenly wanted to vomit.
Torres continued.
“Why did you come to the hospital?”
“Diane called me.”
Everyone froze.
“When?”
“This morning.”
“What did she say?”
Laura looked directly at me.
“She said Ryan had been arrested because Emily lied.”
“And?”
“She wanted me to help prove he had somewhere stable to live if he got released.”
Mom stood.
“Where is Diane?”
“I don’t know.”
“You met her before?”
Laura nodded.
“Several times.”
My chest tightened.
Diane knew.
She knew about the affair.
She smiled at me across family dinners while helping Ryan plan a future with another woman.
Torres leaned closer.
“Did Diane ever talk about Emily?”
Laura’s face went pale.
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
Laura’s eyes filled with tears.
“She said the baby deserved a better mother.”
I stood so quickly pain shot through my abdomen.
Mom caught me.
“Emily.”
“No.”
I pushed her hands away.
“I need air.”
I walked into the hallway.
My entire marriage had become a crime scene.
Every memory looked different now.
Every apology Ryan demanded.
Every doctor’s appointment he missed.
Every time Diane called me weak.
None of it felt accidental anymore.
Mom followed.
“I should have protected you sooner.”
I turned.
“You tried to control everything instead.”
She accepted that without defending herself.
“You’re right.”
That surprised me.
“I thought staying away would keep Ryan calm,” she continued. “I made the wrong decision.”
I started crying.
“I thought you stopped loving me.”
“Never.”
She hugged me.
For the first time in years, I let her.
Then Grace’s nurse appeared.
“Emily, your daughter is awake.”
I wiped my face.
Inside the NICU, Grace’s eyes were barely open.
I placed my hand beside her tiny body.
“You have no idea how many people are fighting over your life,” I whispered.
Mom stood beside me.
“But your mother is going to win.”
My phone buzzed.
A new message.
This time it was from Ryan.
I stared at the screen.
He should not have had access to his phone.
The message contained only six words.
Ask your mother what she did.
I showed Rebecca.
Her face lost all color.
“What does that mean?”
She did not answer.
“Mom?”
Before she could speak, another message arrived.
Your father didn’t die by accident.
I looked at her.
May you like
And my mother whispered something I never expected.
“I was afraid he would tell you.”
