Chapter 2: The Envelope He Was Never Supposed to Open
Evelyn's husband didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He just stood there, staring at her like he was seeing a stranger wearing his wife's face.
"Gerald—" Evelyn started.
"Don't." His voice was quiet.
That was worse than shouting.
The room had gone completely still.
Even the children had stopped moving.
Daniel finally unfolded his arms.
He looked at me — really looked at me — for the first time.
Something shifted in his face.
Not guilt.
Not yet.
Something colder.
Like he was doing math in his head.
"How long have you had that recording?" he asked.
"Long enough," I said.
Evelyn pointed at me, her hand shaking.
"She's lying.
She edited it.
She set this whole thing up because she's always hated me—"
"Evelyn." Gerald's voice cracked on her name.
"I know his voice."
The room went cold.
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then Gerald reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.
He set it on the table between us.
Slowly.
Like it had been waiting there for a long time.
"I was going to handle this privately," he said.
"I'm not doing that anymore."
Evelyn stared at the envelope.
Her face changed completely.
May you like
And that's when I realized — Gerald already knew.
He had known before I ever pressed play.
