Her advice hadn’t been about protecting me. It was about protecting herself.
I texted Marcus Webb.
We need to talk. I have more information.
His reply came in seconds.
tomorrow 9:00 a.m. Same place.
I didn’t sleep that night either. But this time, it wasn’t fear keeping me awake. It was the beginning of a plan.
The call started the next morning. Aunt Margaret was first. My mother’s younger sister, the one who always sent birthday cards, always remembered.
Honey, her voice dripped with concern. Your mom called me last night. She’s so worried about you.
Worried about what?
Well, a delicate pause. She said,
“You’ve been saying some strange things about the fire, about her.”
I sat up straighter. I haven’t told anyone anything.
Evelyn, sweetheart, it’s okay to struggle. What you went through, losing everything like that, anyone would have trouble coping.
My stomach turned cold.
What exactly did she tell you?
Just that you’re under a lot of stress. maybe having some kind of breakdown.
Margaret’s voice softened.
She’s worried you might say things you don’t mean. Crazy things.
Crazy. There it was.
I’m not crazy, Aunt Margaret. No one’s saying you are, honey. We’re just
Did she email the whole family or just call?
Silence. That was answer enough.
Get some rest, sweetheart. Margaret said finally. We’re all praying for you.
She hung up before I could respond.
I immediately checked my email. Nothing from family, but there was one from HR at my company marked urgent. The timestamp showed it had arrived 2 days ago. I’d been so focused on the insurance nightmare that I’d missed it entirely.
My blood ran cold as I read it.
We received an anonymous call expressing concern about your mental state following recent personal trauma. While we support all employees through difficult times, we need to schedule a meeting to discuss your current fitness for work.
I read it twice, three times.
She wasn’t just trying to steal my money. She was trying to steal my credibility, my job, my life. Before I could even speak, she was making sure no one would believe me.
The anger that rose in my chest was unlike anything I’d ever felt. Cold, clear, deadly calm.
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