CHAPTER 2 — The Double Life
Ethan didn't breathe.
He couldn't.
His body simply refused.
From behind the hallway wall, Rebecca continued speaking as if discussing the weather.
"He only exists to send money."
The man chuckled.
"Does he really believe you're still struggling?"
Rebecca poured another glass of wine.
"Oh, Ethan still thinks we're paying off the mortgage."
She burst into laughter.
"The house has been paid off for six years."
Ethan felt the floor disappear beneath him.
Six years?
Then where had every dollar gone?
The man raised his glass.
"To the world's most generous husband."
They clinked wine glasses.
Rebecca smiled.
"Without him, we never could've bought the lake house."
Lake house?
His mind raced.
Rebecca had cried just three weeks earlier because, according to her, they couldn't even afford to repair the roof.
"I almost feel guilty," the man admitted.
Rebecca shrugged.
"Guilt doesn't pay for vacations."
They kissed.
Long.
Comfortably.
Like people who had been together for years.
Ethan nearly stepped into the room.
Every muscle screamed for revenge.
But then...
His phone vibrated.
A text message.
Lily.
"Dad... are you really coming home next month?"
His hands trembled.
He typed back.
"I'm home now."
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Appeared again.
Finally...
"Dad..."
"Please don't go inside."
His blood turned cold.
Seconds later...
The front door upstairs quietly opened.
Lily stood frozen at the top of the staircase.
Her face turned completely white.
She wasn't surprised to see him.
She looked...
Terrified.
She slowly shook her head.
"No..."
Not because she didn't want to see him.
Because she knew...
Exactly what he had just heard.
She hurried downstairs, grabbed his arm with shaking hands, and whispered through tears,
"Dad..."
"Mom isn't the worst secret."
Ethan stared at his daughter.
"What do you mean?"
Lily looked over her shoulder to make sure nobody could hear.
Then she pulled a small flash drive from her hoodie pocket.
"I've been collecting everything."
"Bank statements."
"Property records."
"Hidden cameras."
"They've been stealing from you for years."
She swallowed hard.
"But that's not why I wanted you to come home."
Ethan frowned.
"Then why?"
Lily's next sentence stopped his heart.
May you like
"Because..."
"They're planning to make sure you never leave again."
