She’s carrying someone else’s child and trying to pass it off as Renee’s. But don’t worry. I’m sure that won’t affect her status as your perfect daughter.
You’ve always been jealous of her. No, I said quietly. I’ve always been your scapegoat, but not anymore.
I hung up as Angela discovered something else. A comment Ricky had left on one of Rose’s photos from a holiday party four months ago. Best night of my life.
Andrea? Angela said slowly. You need to talk to him. I nodded, already composing an email.
Oh, I plan to. But first, I need to make a few calls, starting with Renee’s company. What are you going to tell them? I smiled, thinking of the financial documents I discovered while searching for evidence of the affair.
The truth that their VP of finance has been falsifying reports, and that’s just the beginning. Because revenge isn’t just about exposing lies. It’s about pulling every thread until the whole tapestry unravels.
I met Ricky at a quiet coffee shop downtown, far from my usual haunts. He was already there when I arrived, fidgeting with a paper cup, looking exactly like his photos, handsome in that boy-next-door way that Rose had always preferred. Thanks for meeting me, I said, sliding into the seat across from him.
I’m Andrea, Rose’s sister. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. Look, I’m not sure what this is about.
I think you know exactly what this is about. I placed my phone on the table, screen up, showing a photo of him and Rose outside the fertility clinic. Four months ago, holiday party at the Grand? Ring any bells? His face paled.
She said she was single. Of course, she did. I took a sip of my coffee.
She’s pregnant, Ricky, and she’s trying to pass it off as my husband’s baby. He knocked over his cup, coffee spilling across the table. She’s what? Pregnant.
About four months along, I’d say? Interesting timing. Wouldn’t you agree? Ricky grabbed napkins, mopping up the spill with shaking hands. We used protection.
She said she was on birth control. Rose has always been creative with the truth. I pulled out a document.
I need you to sign this. What is it? Consent for a paternity test, just in case. He stared at the paper for a long moment.
If I sign this, Rose will know I talked to you. Rose is already going to lose everything, I said quietly. The question is, do you want to know the truth? He signed.
Meanwhile, across town, Rene’s carefully constructed world was crumbling. His assistant forwarded me an email chain. His colleagues were avoiding him.
His boss was reconsidering his position. And the board had called an emergency meeting. I’d sent them an anonymous tip about the falsified reports, along with copies of his fertility tests, and a carefully worded suggestion about trustworthiness.
My phone buzzed with a text from Angela. Rose just showed up at your mom’s house. Full waterworks.
I drove there, parking across the street. Through the living room window, I could see Rose sobbing on the couch, my mother patting her hand, the perfect victim as always. I walked in without knocking.
How dare you? Rose sprang up, mascara streaking her cheeks. You’re trying to ruin my life. You ruined your own life, I said calmly.
I’m just exposing the truth. Truth? My mother stood up. The truth is, you’re trying to hurt your sister because you couldn’t keep your husband happy.
Really, Mother? That’s your take? That I somehow forced Rose to sleep with my husband? You were always so cold, Linda spat. So focused on your career, what did you expect? I laughed. The sound sharp and bitter.
I expected my sister not to be a whore. I expected my husband not to be a liar. I expected my mother to have a spine.
Get out, Rose screamed. Get out of my house. Your house? I raised an eyebrow.
You mean, the house Rene bought for Mom using money he embezzled from his company? That house. The color drained from both their faces. What are you talking about? Linda whispered.
Oh you didn’t know, Rene’s been cooking the books for years, using company money to fund his little projects including this house. I smiled. The board is meeting right now to discuss it.
My phone pinged. An email from the testing facility, paternity result, match confirmed, Ricky Bowen. Perfect timing, I said, opening the attachment.
Would you like to know who really got you pregnant Rose? She lunged for my phone, but I held it out of reach. Don’t worry. Everyone will know soon enough.
I’m sure Ricky will be thrilled to hear he’s going to be a father. You bitch. Rose swung at me, but I stepped back.
You’re lying. Like you lied about the baby being Rene’s? Like you lied about being on birth control with Ricky? Like you’ve been lying your entire life? Linda grabbed my arm. Stop this.
Stop it right now. I pulled free. No mother.
I’m done stopping. I’m done being quiet. I’m done watching Rose destroy everything she touches while you clean up her messes.
I’ll deny it, Rose said, her voice shaking. No one will believe you. They already do.
I headed for the door, pausing in the doorway. By the way, Rene’s company just called. They’re freezing all his assets, including this house.
You might want to start packing. As I walked to my car, I could hear Rose’s screams through the open window. But for the first time in my life, they didn’t make me feel guilty.
They made me feel free. The family brunch was my idea. I sent out a group text suggesting we all meet to talk things through civilly.
Angela thought I was crazy, but she didn’t see my smile when everyone agreed. I chose the country club, neutral territory with plenty of witnesses. More importantly, it had an excellent audio-visual system for presentations.
Rose arrived first wearing a flowing dress that highlighted her small baby bump. She’d clearly been crying, but her chin was lifted in defiance. I’m only here because Mom insisted, she said, sliding into her seat.
Of course you are. I smiled watching the others file in. My mother, Mary, Rene.
Even a few extended family members who’d heard about the drama. Andrea, Rene started. Can we talk privately first? Oh, no, darling.
Everything I have to say, I’ll say in front of everyone. Once everyone was seated, I stood up, smoothing my dress. I want to apologize for my behavior at my birthday dinner.
Rose’s face lit up with vindication, my mother nodded approvingly. I shouldn’t have exposed your lies so abruptly, I continued. I should have been more thorough.