April Fools “Surprise” Husband Divorcing Me For His “Pure” Girl novel Chapter 28

Chapter 7

Day thirty-five of lockdown.

Ay work at the institute was blowing up.

hree days ago, the CDC adopted my transmission model. My model. The one predicting infection curves for the next two weeks with better accuracy than nything else out there.

Dr. Stevens announced it on a video call packed with experts.

Dr. Carter built this herself.”

omeone piped up: “Carter? Don’t think I know that name.”

1. Stevens didn’t miss a beat. “When Emma left academia three years ago, she had two papers in review for top journals. If she’d stuck around, half of you wouldn’t have gotten first authorship on your recent publications.”

ilence.

fter the call, three research directors sent me connection requests.

Valking out, my phone lit up.

lews alert: “The Most Accurate COVID Model-and the Vanished’ Scientist Who Built It.”

hey called me “Dr. C.” Kept it vague.

ut our field’s tiny. Everyone figured it out.

hat night, Ryan texted.

You went back to work? Why didn’t you tell me?”

le didn’t see the article himself. Someone must’ve sent it to him.

Was I supposed to?”

You’re my wife. We discuss major decisions.”

Like you discussed hopping on a plane with your mistress?”

Lead 9:47 PM

lothing

Torty minutes crawled by,

Then: “Quit being dramatic. I’ll come home when this is over and we’ll sort everything out.”

typed back: “Can’t wait.”

Sort everything out.

Sure, Ryan. Let’s do that.

Next afternoon, I met Harrison at the convenience store under the institute.

He dropped a thick folder on the table between us.

09.17

!

Chapter 7

Property sold under market value. Joint account drained. Forged signature on a second mortgage He tapped the folder. “Emma, we’ve got him. Almost.

What’s missing?”

The plane tickets. We need proof he bought three, then canceled yours. Shows this whole thing was planned-the escape, the money, everything

TlightAware keeps records.”

Yeah, but we’d need his login or a subpoena.”

took a sip of my tea.

I have his login.”

larrison’s eyes narrowed. “We can’t use illegally–

He printed the itineraries. All three. Left the canceled one in a shoebox at home.” I pulled it out of my bag. “Refund stamp right there. Date and everything.”

larrison stared at the paper. Then at me.

jesus Christ. Emma.”

What?”

You’re fucking terrifying.”

shrugged. “Three years of being lied to teaches you things.”

fy phone rang as we left.

arol. “Emma, get home. Your mother-in-law’s in bad shape.”

ran.

ound Diana on the living room floor, gray-faced and shaking.

ot her blood pressure this time.

lood sugar crash.

shoved a cup of sugar water in her hands. Made her drink half. Color started coming back.

irst words out of her mouth: “You’re never here anymore. I could’ve died.”

Carol found you. She checks on you every single day. You know that.”

don’t need some neighbor babysitting me! If you weren’t out there pretending to be some big shot-”

Diana. Stop.

crouched down so we were eye level.

Look around. Who bought the food in that fridge? Me. Who got your meds when the pharmacy closed? Me. Who’s been paying the mortgage on this place very month?” I paused. “Has Ryan sent you a dime?”

he opened her mouth. Closed it.

He’s overseas. It’s complicated-”

He sold our property for nearly a million bucks. Transferred out another half million from our account. Took out a $600k loan against this apartment we’re itting in.” I stood up. “Money’s not his problem, Diana,”

hapter 7

er face went blotchy, Red, then white, then red again.

That’s a liet Ryan would never-

‘ve got the property records. Bank statements. Loan documents. Want to see?”

e turned away. Stared at the TV like it might save her.

nice shaking: “You’re trying to poison me against my own son.”

didn’t argue.

That’s the point?

me people don’t want the truth.

ecause accepting it means facing something worse-

ant the son she worships had been ready to screw everyone over.

cluding her.

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