Last Liar Standing by Danielle M. Wong

Author:Danielle M. Wong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, thriller, intrigue, suspense
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Published: 2022-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

My panic increases as I pace around the kitchen. Where will I go? The question persists as I tune back in to my conversation with Wesley.

“Where does that leave me?” I ask him.

“What do you mean, madam?”

“I’m just wondering what to do. What happens next?”

He is silent. Perhaps he explained all of this while I was lost in my own thoughts.

“Am I supposed to call John’s mother and let her know what’s going on? Does she even know about this? She was so nice on the phone.”

“I would not recommend that. Phoning your in-laws might escalate an already tense situation. Marshall is their son, after all.”

“Oh.” I don’t understand all the details, but he makes a good point. I’m grateful he has my best interests at heart. “Well, what do you think I should do?”

“I suggest you prepare yourself.”

My throat tightens.

“I am still hopeful that the new will is fraudulent, but while my team is working on this matter, I just want you to be prepared in case...”

“In case it’s not fake.”

“Precisely.”

“What if they try to take the house while I’m still here?” My heart races as I consider the probability.

“That will not happen. But if it did come to that, I assure you that I would handle it. That’s a promise, madam.” His last sentence is solemn in tone. Wesley always sounds serious, but this is graver somehow.

It could be worse. At least I’m not going through this ordeal alone. I thank Wesley and hang up, but despite his support, I’m at a loss for where to start. Before I know it, I am stuck in a ceaseless loop of fretting, obsessing, and feeling helpless. I need to find a way to interrupt my futile thought pattern—something to take my mind off of in-laws and wills.

I wander over to one of the bookcases and stare up at the shelves. Each one is stocked full of hardbacks, from age-old classics to modern thrillers. Just as I am about to pick up The Catcher in the Rye—a personal favorite—something else steals my attention. I notice a shiny spine poking out from the top shelf and reach for it instantly. The deep-purple binding with a jacquard texture looks so familiar. As I remove it from the shelf, I realize it’s not a book at all. The front cover reads: Our Wedding Album.

My stomach drops when I see a picture of John and me standing at the altar. It triggers the image of him and Cheryl that exacerbated this entire mess.

My better judgment tells me to put it away—to shove the album between Hemingway and Fitzgerald and never look back. It would be flawless symbolism, representative of their bitter rivalry. But my curiosity gets the best of me. I feel a familiar pull. A trance I cannot break free from. Soon, the desire overrides all reason.

I open the cover slowly, relishing the sticky sound of the seldom-touched pages. Inside is a maze of photographs and keepsakes. One portrait, two dried flowers, multiple copies of our vows.

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