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.

of it then, though a small voice in the back of my head told me something felt

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 hesitate to offer our

night turned into a week. A week turned into her

Back to present.

day, Isabelle made my morning coffee without asking

she said brightly, handing me

It was exactly how I liked it-two sugars, a splash of cream, the tiniest pinch of cinnamon. I hadn't told

lightly. "Oh, no. I just

with me, but I let it

I knew I needed to talk to someone. Someone who would listen without brushing

our family lawyer, he had a way of seeing things clearly. When I called him, I didn't mention Isabelle

to talk,"

replied. "Want to meet

met that afternoon. Martins was sitting behind his desk, his tie loosened like he'd been dealing with a long

mind, Sarah?" he asked, his tone warm but

unsure of where to begin. "It's

frowned. "Isabelle? The woman staying with you and

her. She keeps showing up, knowing things she shouldn't. And

in his chair, his

"She's playing some kind of game. I don't know what her

a bitter laugh. "He

the desk, considering my words. "Do

some pictures of Richard in her room,"

updated. And, Sarah... be careful. If

suspicions grew stronger. Isabelle wasn't just trying to fit in-she was trying

of helpfulness, cooking dinner, tidying up, offering to

ate it up, oblivious to the way she glanced at me

Even the smell of

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