Chapter 2: The Message From Nowhere
That night, I waited until the house went quiet.
Margaret had gone to bed.
Paige had disappeared into the guest room — *my* old office — without a word.
I found Gwen sitting alone at the kitchen table.
The lights were low.
Her hands were wrapped around a mug of tea she hadn't touched.
I sat across from her.
"Talk to me," I said quietly.
"Please."
She stared at the table.
"There's nothing to say, David."
"Gwen.
Look at me."
She did.
And I saw it again — that fear.
"How long?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"How long have they been treating you like this?"
Her jaw tightened.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She wiped it fast, like she was afraid someone would see.
"It doesn't matter now," she whispered.
"You're home.
Just leave it alone."
"Leave it alone?" I kept my voice low.
"You look like you haven't eaten in weeks.
You're wearing a hat inside.
You flinched when I reached for your hand."
She said nothing.
I leaned forward.
"Gwen.
What's under the hat?"
The silence stretched so long I thought she wouldn't answer.
Then, slowly, she reached up.
And what I saw made my hands go still on the table.
Before I could speak, my phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown number.
*"She hasn't told you the worst part.
May you like
Ask her about the account.
Ask her what they made her sign."*
