Chapter 5 - THE FOLDERTessa met Natalie the next morning.
She handed over the laptop.
The folder was encrypted.
A forensic specialist opened it.
Inside were documents dating back three years.
Photos of my schedule.
Bank records.
Medical records.
Children's school information.
And a document titled:
EXIT STRATEGY.
I stared at the screen.
The document described exactly how Grant planned to remove me from the house.
First, isolate me financially.
Then create evidence that I was unstable.
Then introduce Tessa.
Then force me to leave.
Then claim I had abandoned the children.
My blood ran cold.
There were even draft emails written in my name.
Fake messages designed to make me look irrational.
One document suggested accusing me of prescription drug abuse.
Another suggested hiring a therapist who would later testify that I was emotionally unstable.
I covered my mouth.
“This is insane.”
Natalie shook her head.
“No.”
She looked at me.
“This is organized.”
The final page contained one sentence.
Once Penelope leaves, transfer the trust assets.
I felt sick.
Then I saw something else.
A date.
The plan had been scheduled for the week after my delivery.
Grant had intended to wait until I was exhausted and vulnerable.
That explained everything.
His timing.
His sudden confidence.
Tessa moving in.
The threats.
He believed childbirth would make me easier to control.
He was wrong.
That afternoon, the police arrived.
Grant was questioned.
Ryan was questioned.
Eleanor was questioned.
Tessa gave a statement.
And then came the biggest surprise.
Tessa admitted she had never intended to stay with Grant.
She had been involved with him, yes.
But she had recently discovered his plan.
She realized he was using her as part of the scheme.
She had become afraid.
I didn't forgive her.
Not yet.
But I understood why she had brought the laptop.
Meanwhile, Grant's company began collapsing.
Contracts were suspended.
Banks demanded repayment.
Clients discovered irregularities.
Employees resigned.
The empire Grant had spent years building started disappearing within weeks.
But he wasn't finished.
One evening, I received a message.
You think you've won?
Then another.
You haven't seen what I'm capable of.
Natalie immediately contacted the police.
But before they arrived, another message appeared.
I'll see you at the hospital.
May you like
My baby was due soon.
And suddenly, I was afraid again.
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