Mary’s voice trembled slightly.
“I wanted to stay out of it. I told myself you were both adults, and it wasn’t my place. But then I started thinking about how his actions would affect you.”
Her eyes filled with quiet regret.
“I didn’t raise him to be cruel.”
For the first time since I had met Mary, I believed she meant it.
“I thought you deserved the chance to see the truth before it was too late.”
“I wanted to stay out of it.”
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I slowly slid my wedding ring off my finger. I stared at it. Then I placed it in my MIL’s hand.
“I’m glad you sent that message,” I said quietly. “I know you never liked me,” I continued, “but you still warned me.”
Her fingers closed around the ring.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you before,” she said softly.
I shook my head.
“I’ll handle the rest.”
***
I barely slept that night.
I slowly slid my wedding ring off my finger.
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***
The next morning, I called my lawyer, Gavin, as soon as the sun came up.
He sounded confused when he answered. “Monica? Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?”
“I need the marriage annulled,” I said.
“What happened?”
I explained everything.
Luckily, before putting the envelope back, I’d taken photos of everything inside.
I sent the images to Gavin immediately.
I called my lawyer, Gavin.
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“I want to open a case against Daniel,” I said.
“Those photos will help a lot.”
***
By midmorning, I’d already packed my things and left the hotel.
The day before, I’d walked into that building as a bride.
That morning, I walked out as someone completely different.
“I want to open a case.”
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Early that afternoon, my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
“This is Detective Harris,” the voice said. “Am I speaking with Monica?”
“Yes.”
“There have been some developments regarding the information you provided. Daniel and a woman named Sarah were apprehended earlier today at the bus station.”
I stopped walking.
“They were caught?”
“Yes.”
A strange wave of relief washed over me.
“This is Detective Harris.”
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