#Chapter 178 – Jailbreak

Emma looks at Delia nervously as they pull up to the road block near her father’s house.

“Something’s going on,” she murmurs as a Beta raises his hand, requiring her to stop the car.

“Um,” Delia says, biting her lip and considering. “Is there any reason that they should like…suspect us? That we should turn around now?”

Emma shakes her head slowly. “I mean…unless Joyce told someone he was meeting you? But he’s always so discreet with his affairs.”

She should know. In their six years of marriage, Joyce had had nearly forty affairs with women, all of which Emma knew about due to the same private investigator who had found Evelyn. She kept the evidence for a rainy day, packed into a storage unit across town. Every month, if the investigator had more information for her, she added it to the binder.

They were casual affairs mostly, none of them deeply emotional – girlfriends who lasted a few weeks and months. His relationships with s*x workers lasted longer, likely because he could control them with money. Emma had never been particularly bothered or surprised by these assignations, considering that their own relationship started by him cheating with her on her sister.

Emma rolls down her window as the Beta approached. “Hello,” she says smiling pleasantly. “I’m just coming back from my vacation – is…” she looks around the barrier, worried, “is everything okay? With my family?”

The Beta nods to her, expressionless, and then walks away a few steps to speak into the radio attached to his shoulder. When he receives a reply, he nods and returns to the car.

“All is well, ma’am. Your family is looking forward to seeing you.”

With that, he waves her though.

“Well,” Delia says, taking a deep breath. “We’re in for it now. Are you sure we shouldn’t have like…tried to sneak in? Not gone through the front door?”

“No,” Emma says quietly, winding down the road towards the house. “They don’t have any reason to suspect us yet – we’re just a few days late from vacation. If they catch us sneaking in the back, it will be worse.”

Delia nods, on board with the plan, but still anxious.

When they pull up to the house and park in the set of garages around the side, Emma knows that it’s just a little too quiet.

the same, like a ghost town. Emma swallows thickly, looking around. It’s not a busy house at any times – far too

running a hand through her hair.

– the sound of laughter coming from the back garden. Instinctually, they both head that

and Delia are greeted with a happy sight. Mrs. Walsh, laying on a patio chair out in the late afternoon sunshine, sipping a glass of iced tea and shouting suggestions to Ian, who is playing

the wicket, Ian!” she

help laughing with her. It’s been far

her laugh and turns to her, his face breaking into a smile instantly. “Aunt Emma!” he shouts, running over to her and wrapping his arms around her. Mrs. Walsh turns, surprised to hear

releases Emma and turns to Delia, equally excited,

aunt’s friend!” She forces a smile onto her face,

says simply, shaking

for you!” Mrs. Walsh waves hello to Delia as well, gesturing to the chairs as

Emma say,

leaning forward, clearly genuinely pleased to see her daughter home safe and sound. “We

frowns, saying “what?” just as Delia exclaims “Joyce!?

to communicate that she needs to tone it

says, confused. Emma shakes

we haven’t seen Joyce in awhile,” Ian says, climbing up into his aunt’s

him, pleased that her nephew is such a talented little actor,

says, smiling up at her. Then, he frowns. “Though grandpapa locked her

new news, opening her eyes wide

– a trait inherited by her two daughters when they, too, are feeling unsettled. “It’s been complicated, here, Emma,” she says, running a hand through her hair.

Emma says, pretending a fresh horror. “You can’t just lock

her there,” Mrs. Walsh says quietly, fiddling with the straw in her drink.

three women are quiet for a moment, Mrs. Walsh looking down at

that? Mom?” Emma asks, quietly.

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