Chapter 5: The Counterattack
Evan and Denise didn’t stay quiet for long.
The next morning, their lawyer contacted the hospital demanding that all of Evan’s personal belongings — including the briefcase — be returned to them immediately. When the hospital refused, citing police orders, their lawyer threatened to sue.
That same afternoon, Evelyn (Evan’s mother) showed up at the police station with a high-priced attorney, claiming that the briefcase belonged to the family and that we had no right to keep it. She even tried to spin a story that I had been mentally unstable for months and was now trying to frame her son.
Detective Reyes called me while Evelyn was still at the station.
“She’s trying to play the concerned mother card,” Reyes said. “She claims you’ve been having ‘episodes’ and that Evan was only trying to protect you.”
I felt a cold anger rise in my chest.
“She’s lying,” I said. “And I have proof.”
“I know,” Reyes replied. “We’re not buying it. But I wanted you to know what they’re trying to do.”
After the call, I sat in my car for a long time, staring out the windshield.
They were still trying to control the narrative. Even now, even after being caught, they were still trying to make me look like the unstable one.
I took out my phone and called Margaret.
“They’re already fighting back,” I told her.
“I expected that,” she said. “But they’re making a mistake. Every time they lie or try to intimidate, they give us more ammunition. Keep recording everything. Save every message, every email, every threat.”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.
“I will.”
That evening, I received a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: You’re making a big mistake. This won’t end well for you.
I didn’t reply. I simply forwarded it to Detective Reyes and Margaret.
Then I blocked the number.
They could threaten me all they wanted.
May you like
I wasn’t backing down.
Not this time.
