Divorce, Betrayal and Lies
Charlotte was absolutely clueless about what to do next. Her new marriage was far from smooth, and she couldnt help but start thinking dark thoughts about divorce. She just couldnt tolerate the attitude of her husbands angry teenage daughter anymoreand more than anything, she wasnt willing to let her own little girl get caught up in the crossfire.
Look, I know youre dead set against me, Charlotte started, looking at her sulky stepdaughter, Grace. The girl was completely out of control, always turning a deaf ear to everyonebut oddly enough, the moment her dad showed up, she acted like a perfect angel. I get it, I really do. Honestly, if I were you, Id be upset too, Charlotte forced a sympathetic smile. Yes, Ive taken your mums place, but when I met your dad, he was already divorced. No marriages were broken up by me, I promise! Matthew was completely single!
Grace let out a mocking laugh and glared at her stepmother. She couldnt come to terms with the fact that her father had found a replacement for her mum so quickly. Barely six months had passed since the divorce, and yet here he was, moving this new woman into their house. Grace was convinced that if Charlotte hadnt shown up, her parents wouldve sorted things out and been happy together again.
If you hadnt come along, Dad would have forgiven Mum and everything would be back to normal, she spat out, brimming with emotion. Her parents divorce had been a crushing blow, and Charlottes arrival just poured salt in the wound. Grace refused to believe anything between her dad and Charlotte had started after the splitshe was sure Charlotte had nudged her dad toward the whole thing in the first place.
Charlotte sighed deeply. She knew convincing Grace would be near impossiblethe girl was far too bitter and angry to listen to reason. But leaving things as they were just wasnt an option. At sixteen, Grace was constantly being mean to her new little sister (Matthew had officially adopted Sophie, Charlottes daughter, now five). Grace would push her just walking past her, or break her favourite toys right in front of her as she burst into tears. And the cruel things shed say to poor Sophie!
Youre entitled to your opinion, Charlotte said, trying to keep calm. I do have one request, thoughjust dont take it out on my daughter. Shes done nothing wrong! If you carry on, Ill have to tell Matthew, and he can deal with it. Maybe you could talk to your dad? You dont have to trust me, but he wouldnt lie to you.
Grace only snorted and stormed off to her room. As if shed believe a word of it! Her mum had told her the whole story, and Grace trusted her completely. Mums never lie, right?
***************
No matter how much Charlotte tried, the situation at home didnt improve. Grace continued to loathe Charlotte, and made no effort to hide it. Every time they crossed paths in the house, shed shoot her stepmum these icy, hostile looks. The only silver liningshe stopped picking on Sophie, preferring now to ignore her completely.
Charlotte spent a lot of time wondering where all this bitterness came from. Did Grace genuinely have no idea why her parents split up? Or was it just a way for her mind to protect itself from a difficult truth?
The truth was, Graces mum, Emma, had been leading a double life for ages. Not exactly the faithful wifeshed carefully concealed her escapades from everyone. And their prenuptial agreement was explicitly clear: infidelity meant an immediate divorce, with no maintenance or financial perks.
But as we all know, nothing stays buried forever. One day, it was Grace herself who unwittingly blew the cover. Matthew had popped home early from work, surprised to find only his daughter at home. Emma had said she was feeling ill and wouldnt be going anywhere.
Wheres your mum? Matthew asked, taking off his coat.
She went out for a walk with her friend, Grace replied, looking away, feeling awkward about lying to her dad, but her mum had begged her to cover. Emma said she wanted to meet an old mateone Matthew apparently couldnt stand.
With Rachel? he asked with a smirk. Could he really be that lucky today?
Yeah, with Rachel, Grace answered, trying to sound innocent as she looked her dad in the eye. Why?
Matthew cocked an eyebrow. Are you sure it was Rachel?
Yes, definitely. I saw Mum get in her car. Why? Cant you get hold of her?
Matthews smile chilled. He moved over to the window, gathering his thoughts. Time to act.
Its nothing, he said at last, still not looking at her. Just wanted to check. Except
A knot of worry twisted in Graces stomach.
What? she whispered.
Matthew turned to her, eyes filled with a steely resolve. Youre a rubbish liar, you know that? Face all red, cant look at me. Dont worry. Ill find your mum. Well have a proper talk soon.
In a panic, Grace rushed to phone Emma, but her mums phone was switched offclearly done on purpose to avoid interruptions. Grace darted around her room, feeling totally helpless.
Matthew wasted no time. With a little help from modern tech, it didnt take him long to work out where his wife was. What he saw confirmed all his worst suspicionshe had more than enough proof for court.
The divorce was swift and brutally one-sided. Emma lost everything: the luxury, the social standing, her financial security. All she had left was a tiny flat on the edge of town, and no savingsshed never worked a day in her life.
Grace stayed with her dad. With Emma unable to provide the lifestyle Grace was used to, it was the only sensible decision. The girl had expensive tastes and wasnt about to give them up. Besides, Emma was far too wrapped up in her own love life to actually focus on raising her.
Even after all that, Grace kept in touch with her mum. Every month, she secretly transferred some money to Emma from her own bank card, always hoping her parents would sort things out and get back together again.
But surprise, surprise! Just six months after the divorce, Matthews heart belonged to someone else. And not only thatCharlotte had her own daughter, little Sophie, whom he adopted and seemed to spend a ton of time with. That stung Grace badly; she felt like all her dads attention should be hers alone.
On her next visit to Emma, Grace couldnt bottle up her frustration:
Well, at least theyre not married yet, Emma said, hastily scheming about how to get rid of Charlotte. She wasnt about to forgive losing her marriage and her financial security. So theres still hope. It can be undone and you could have your life back.
Grace wrinkled her nose with disgust. And how exactly am I supposed to split them up? Theyre always so sickeningly sweet together I cant stand to look! That Charlotte cant even argue with Dad, probably scared of losing her spot. And that kidSophie! Dad fawns over her nonstop. Why? She means nothing to him! Im his only child!
Graces jealousy was eating her up inside. She just couldnt get her head around how her dad had moved on so fast, caring for other people when her own mother was left behind. She felt utterly betrayed and forgotten in this new setup, like nobody cared what she thought at all.
Emma gave a sorrowful sigh, playing the part of the concerned mother. Just you wait, itll only get worse. Im so sorry you have to suffer because of my mistakes… At this rate, Matthew will send you to live with me soon, and youll be stuck with peanuts for child support.
Grace froze, her face draining of colour. The idea of moving into that small, shabby flat in the outskirtsno nice clothes, no gadgets, no comfortsnearly made her ill. She couldnt imagine losing everything shed come to expect.
Why would that ever happen? she shouted, jumping from her seat, shaking with fury. Shes not taking away whats rightfully mine!
Old tatty furniture, no cleaner, having to watch every pennyno way! Grace was desperate. Shed do whatever it took to avoid that fate.
Emma saw her daughters panic and went in for the kill: I didnt want to tell you, but you might as well knowyour dad started seeing that woman before we split, no matter what he says. Trust me, I know. And Ive found out that Charlottes pregnant.
Grace was shell-shocked. What? Who gave her the right?
What? No way! Theres already that screeching kid, Sophie! Im not putting up with a baby in the house!
The thought of losing even more of her fathers affection (and inheritance) to another child was too much. This was it. She had to do something.
Emma leaned in, eyes gleaming. She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. Hate to break it to you, but its true. I know someone working in the private clinic Charlottes been going to, and Matthew showed up with her last time. My friend called me straight away.
Graces heart pounded. Emma continued, Shes far along enough to know the babys a boy. Hes thrilled, always wanted a son! You know how much drama he made when you were bornhe wouldnt even pick you up for weeks.
You never told me that… Grace whispered, close to tears. I thought Dad loved me…
No point hurting you with old memories. He loves you nowbut Im afraid his son will come first. Hes already said hes sick to death of your tantrums.
Grace balled her fists as her mind raced. If Charlotte was really expecting, thered be no way to split them up.
So what do I do? she mumbled, biting her lip.
Emmas lips curled in a sly smile as she leaned even closer. Its simple, darling. You play to Charlottes weak spother child. She dotes on Sophie, would do anything to protect her. Heres what you do: take Sophie out, pretend to be the perfect big sister…
Grace listened, wheels turning in her head. She didnt know where Emma was going with this, but it was clear action was needed, and shed do whatever it took to hold onto her life.
Whats the point of taking her out? Hows that going to cause a fight? she finally asked, confused.
Emma, sitting opposite, leaned forward with exaggerated concern. Take her to the park, then leave her alone in the most deserted part of it. Dont worry, someone will be nearby to keep her safe. Then you ring your dad in tears, say Sophie pulled away and ran deep into the park, and you couldnt find her.
Thats still risky. Ill only end up turning Dad against me… Hed never forgive me! Grace protested.
Emma gave her a patronising smile. No, darling! Dad will come running and youll fling yourself at him sobbing your heart out. Then someone will bring the girl back and say they found her and wanted to help.
Grace wavered. If Sophie told the truth, things could spiral out of control.
Shell tell everyone I left hershe can speak just fine now.
Emmas expression hardened into a nasty grin. Exactly! Shell say you left. Youll deny everything. Matthew will trust you, youre his daughter, while Charlotte will insist on her childs story. Itll be a massive row. Shell pack up and goguaranteed. Then I can be there to comfort him
Grace sat silently, picturing possible outcomesher mum back in the house, that other woman gone, everything back to her again.
After a while, she nodded, a cold little laugh escaping her. Itll do the brat good to have a fright. She wont act up so much after.
Her only real worry was for Sophies safety. But Sophie cant get hurt. Not ever. Thats the one condition.
Of course, my dear, Emma cooed. We wouldnt want any harm done. Just a scare, then everything goes back to normal.
Emma was full of smug satisfaction, knowing shed successfully manipulated her daughter. She wandered around the room, quietly pleased with her handiworkespecially since the whole pregnancy story was a lie. As far as she knew, Charlotte wasnt even expecting. But Graces fear of losing her way of life was a weapon Emma could wield as she pleased.
Sitting down, Emma pulled out her phone to arrange the next steps. She had no intention of getting back with Matthew anywayshed already set her sights on another, wealthier man. No, darling, she thought to her ex-husband, I dont want your forgiveness or you back. I just want to see you suffer.
Her plan was horribly simple and brutally cruel. She was going to make Matthew lose a childmaybe not his by blood, but still a little one. Emma already had someone lined up to help her with her twisted plan.
Let him stew, she thought coldly. Thats what he gets for the divorce, for dragging me through court, for picking Charlotte over me…
And although shed promised Grace that no real harm would come to the child, the truth was, emotional damage was fine by her. Physically, Sophie would be fine, but emotionally… Emmas real goal was to strike at both her ex-husband and the woman whod become her rival. Charlotte was the sister of the very man Matthew had caught Emma withand shed testified in detail at court. Now, as far as Emma was concerned, let her suffer.
So the plan was set. Sophie would end up in some ghastly foster home out in the sticks, Emmas helper would take her away… and so revenge would be complete.
********************
At first, everything went according to plan. Grace took Sophie out to the park. Sophie chattered away about her favourite toys, while Grace pretended to listen. At just the right moment, she accidentally looked awayand Sophie wandered off.
When the little girl looked up and realised her big sister was gone, panic set in. It got even worse when a strange man appeared and grabbed her by the hand. Sophie froze in terror, trying to break free, but he was much too strong. Luckily, a big dog burst out from the bushes, growling low and menacing.
Sophie managed to break free and ran as fast as she could, barely knowing where she was going. All that mattered was finding a grown-up, just like her mum had taught her. She crashed into a kindly woman and burst into tears of relief.
Sophie had her mums number on a necklace around her neckjust in case, as Charlotte had always said. The woman called Charlotte and told her everything.
Charlotte immediately rang Matthew. He raced to the park in minutes! He was furious with Grace, whod already rung him in tears to confess shed lost Sophie. But mostly, he was petrified for Sophie, who must have been scared half to death.
Grace tried her best to look remorseful, but her shifty eyes gave her away. Matthew knew something was up. Once Sophie told the whole truth, and Grace, terrified of her dads rage, blurted out what her mum had said, Matthew lost it.
How could you?! he yelled so loudly that the neighbours started banging on the wall. You put a little girl in danger!
Grace tried to defend herself, But nothing happened!
Are you serious? Do you have any idea what couldve happened if that dog hadnt shown up? This is a child! She could have got hurt, fallen, anything! There are loads of dodgy spots in that park, and what if someone had kidnapped her? What would you have done then?
But Mum said… Grace started, but he cut her off.
Ill deal with your mother separately! But you you showed more cruelty and indifference than I thought possible.
Why is she more important than your real daughter? Grace sobbed. Why cant you just go back to Mum? We could be happy again!
Happy? Matthew sank onto the sofa, defeated. Do you really think we could be happy after all the lies, the cheating, the nastiness? Thats not a life, Grace. Thats just misery. You clearly havent understood a thing. Since you trust your mother so much, youll live with her. Ill see you on weekends.
Grace went white as a sheet. Her worst nightmare was coming true.
What? No! Please, no! she wailed, flinging herself at him, tears streaming down her face. Please, Daddy! Ive learned my lesson, Ill never do anything like this again!
But Matthew was adamant. His mind was made up.
With your mother, he repeated. Thats final. If you shape up, you can come back.
Moving in with Emma was a huge blow for Grace. Even Emma herself didnt seem thrilled to have her around. Life in that poky flat was nothing like Grace had expected.
Not long after, Emma found herself a new man. The relationship took off quickly, and soon Emma made a choice that sealed Graces fate.
Without much thought, Emma shipped Grace off to a fancy boarding school. Itll be better for everyone, she said, waving her goodbye.
Now Grace spent most of her days far from home, surrounded by strangers. Her dreams of the high life were shattered, her relationship with her dad in ruins. And all of it, really, was down to her prideand her burning desire to ruin her stepmums happiness.
