ManyWriters

My spouse Noel Seyfertt abandoned my immobilized mother at home while he ventured on a journey with Brianna Bridgers—his longtime friend and Mother's caregiver. My mother pleaded with her son-in-law for assistance, but he disregarded her completely. Upon returning from a work-related excursion, I discovered that Mother had passed away. She had suffered a fatal cardiac event while completely alone. Overwhelmed with sorrow and anger, I contacted Noel. However, he displayed no remorse—merely irritation. "I was only away for a couple of days with Rian! Are you being serious? Your mother has been bedridden for two years without dying! But

Betrayal's Timepiece, A Widow's Deadly Discovery

I kept moving forward, refusing to look back.


As I descended the staircase, a loud crash echoed behind me. Turning, I saw the remnants of our wedding photograph scattered on the floor, discarded like refuse. This was Noel's way of expressing his fury.


Maintaining my composure, I stepped over the shattered frame and continued on my way.


Upon arriving at my residence, I spotted my mother's image in the main room. Suddenly, I felt utterly drained. I sank to the ground, weeping uncontrollably.


I despised myself for failing to recognize my spouse's true nature and for inadvertently causing my mother's untimely demise. The three years I had devoted to my marriage with Noel seemed utterly wasted. What once felt like marital bliss now appeared as a cruel deception!


Shortly after, the care agency phoned to inquire if I required a replacement caregiver.


"No," I responded tersely. "My mother has passed away."


After ending the call, I reached out to an attorney to initiate divorce proceedings. However, before I could take action, Noel burst into my home.


"Cornelia!" He bellowed. "You assaulted Rian earlier, causing her dismissal? How could you be so heartless?"


"I have no idea what you're referring to," I replied impassively, attempting to close the entrance.


Before I could, two men forced their way inside.


"What brings you here, Noel?!" I exclaimed, startled. "This is my residence! You can't simply barge in as you please!"


He smirked and seized me. "You claim your mother's deceased, correct? Let's verify that. Search the premises, men! I'll expose the shamelessness of you and your mother to everyone!"


"Cease this!" I wrestled against him, crying out, "Mother's gone! She's no longer with us!"


He paused briefly before shoving me to the floor.


"You wretch! How dare you strike me?!" he roared, his visage contorted with anger.


The impact sent me crashing into a piece of furniture, and I lay there, aching, as I watched them ransack my apartment. They overturned objects, even smashing my mother's portrait.


But their search yielded nothing. I was alone in the dwelling.


Upon this realization, Noel appeared taken aback. He approached me, his gaze icy as he looked down.


"Cornelia," he stated, "Should anything befall Rian, you and your mother will face the consequences!"


"Where is she?!" he demanded, his voice laden with rage. "Where have you hidden your mother?!"


I gazed at my mother's portrait, now lying broken beneath his foot. In that instant, something within me snapped.


I lunged at him, sinking my teeth into his leg with all my might. "You despicable man! I'll end you!"


His associates pried me away, pinning me down as if I were some feral creature. Immobilized and unable to retaliate, I felt utterly degraded.


Noel stumbled backward, clutching his leg. His eyes fell upon the shattered black-and-white photograph beneath his foot.


Momentarily puzzled, he inquired, "What's this?"


"It's my mother's portrait!" I shrieked, my voice raw. "She's dead! She passed away the day after you departed on your journey!"


Chapter 4