Chapter 113

Sarah

pov.

I purposely did not bring up the photos that I saw in Isabelle's belongings yet because I need to have just more than pictures to prove her wrong.

At first, I convinced myself it was paranoia. After everything Richard and I had been through, wasn't it natural to be a little on edge?

But the coincidences kept piling up, each one more unsettling than the last.

I sat on the edge of our bed that morning, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair looked dull, my skin paler than usual. I felt off-nauseous even-but I told myself it was the stress. "Sarah, you can't keep ignoring this," I muttered to myself, running a hand over my face. I hadn't been sleeping well, and the tension in the house was eating away at me.

When Richard appeared in the doorway, I forced a smile. "Morning," I said, but my voice sounded weak even to me.

"Morning," he replied, leaning against the frame. "You look tired."

"Gee, thanks," I said dryly.

He chuckled softly and walked over to kiss my forehead. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just... worried about you. You haven't been yourself lately."

I wanted to tell him everything-about Isabelle, about my suspicions-but I hesitated.

Every time I tried, Isabelle managed to twist things in her favor. I wasn't sure Richard would believe me anymore.

"I'm fine," I said instead, brushing him off. "Just a lot on my mind."

Later that day, while folding laundry, memories began creeping back.

At first, it seemed like a strange coincidence-Richard and I were in Hawaii and we met her there, on the beach while trying to have a picnic.

Meanwhile Richard had met her earlier. I remember she was staring right at us, pretending not to notice us until Richard waved at her.

shyly, acting hesitant, like she didn't want to interrupt. I didn't think much of it then, though a

bag had been stolen and she had nowhere to stay, I couldn't ignore the prickling doubt in my mind. Richard, ever the knight in shining armor, didn't

week. A week turned into her becoming

Back to present.

next day, Isabelle made my morning

she said brightly, handing

sugars, a splash of cream, the tiniest pinch

laughed lightly. "Oh, no.

right with me,

I knew I needed to talk to someone. Someone who

and our family lawyer, he had a way of seeing things clearly. When I called

just need to talk,"

course," Martins replied. "Want to meet at

was sitting behind his desk, his tie loosened like

mind, Sarah?" he

of where to

frowned. "Isabelle? The woman staying with

something off about her. She keeps showing up, knowing things she

in his chair, his brow furrowed. "What exactly are you

to organize my thoughts. "She's playing some kind of game. I don't know what her end goal is,

a bitter laugh. "He

desk, considering my words. "Do

in her room," I admitted. "But they are not

Sarah... be

wasn't just trying to fit in-she was trying

around, she became this picture of helpfulness, cooking dinner, tidying up, offering to run

oblivious to the way she glanced at me with a smug little smile when

of coffee,

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