I sifted through them, each page a potential clue. Then, buried beneath a stack of innocuous papers, I found it—a letter from a law firm. My heart dropped as I read. Jared had a secret life, a second family I had never known about, and a mountain of debt that threatened to consume him.

He had hidden it well, the charming facade masking a web of lies. Killing us was his way out, a twisted solution to his self-made problems. Rage and disbelief warred within me, but I clung to the knowledge that Eli and I were safe for now.

I heard the distant rumble of a car pulling into the driveway. Jared was back. My fingers tightened around the letter, crumpling it in my fist. I knew I had to act quickly, to protect Eli and ensure that Jared faced justice for his actions.

I slipped out the back door, disappearing into the night. Mrs. Leverne had already called the police, and as their sirens pierced the quiet suburban calm, I knew the end of this nightmare was near. Jared would be caught, forced to answer for his betrayal and cruelty.

Eli and I would rebuild our lives from the wreckage, stronger and wiser. And with each step forward, I would carry the knowledge that we had survived the unimaginable—and emerged from it together.