I spent two days cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Before tasting anything, my mother-in-law m0cked my food and homemade rolls. I smiled, packed every dish into my car, and left. Four hours later, their calls wouldn’t stop.

Brooke went pale.

Then I opened another section.

“And $86,000 paid to Vanessa Cole Consulting.”

Eric’s expression changed instantly.

Vanessa.

His ex.

The same woman Diane had praised at Thanksgiving.

I looked directly at my husband.

“You told me you hadn’t been in contact with Vanessa for six years.”

Diane turned toward him.

“Eric?”

He swallowed.

“It isn’t what you think.”

“Then explain it.”

He couldn’t.

The records indicated payments had moved from Mercer Construction into Vanessa’s consulting company.