Buried in His Lies

Chapter 5

When our eyes met, the mocking glint in mine made Martin's expression slowly collapse.

"I didn't mean it like that… I just didn't want you to get upset," he said weakly.

"Don't worry," I said flatly. "I'm not the jealous type, especially not over my sister-in-law. You two go ahead and catch up. I'm heading home."

Guilt flashed across his face, and he didn't dare to stop me.

But as I turned to leave, the same group of colleagues who had been gossiping earlier suddenly recognized me.

Their whispers weren't even hushed this time.

"So that's the daughter of the traitors from the Sward family?"

"She still has the nerve to show up here? If it weren't for her parents' betrayal, we wouldn't have lost so many good officers. Shameless."

Their words echoed in my ears like gunshots. I stumbled out of the station, barely aware of how I even made it to my car.

When I came to, I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that deep marks were left on my palms. Blood had soaked through the fabric of my skirt, and rage surged through me like a wildfire.

Back home, I couldn't hold it in any longer.

Everything Martin had given me over the past five years, I threw it all into a pile and set it on fire. I stood there and watched as every memory, every lie, turned to ash.

The last flame flickered out. Just then, my phone buzzed.

A message from Martin.

[Come downstairs. I'll take you to dinner.]

At his family's house, Martin stayed behind to park the car while I went up ahead.

As soon as I opened the door, a heavy glass ashtray came flying at me.

My mother-in-law greeted me with a bitter smile.

"Well, well. Isn't this our poor little victim, Miss Sward? Not out chasing killers today? What brings you to our humble home? Not worried about getting your feet dirty walking into a murderer's house?"

Her relatives chimed in quickly, their eyes dripping with disdain.

"Don't go picking a fight with her, she's the brilliant crime-solver, isn't she? The police couldn't find the killer, but she just 'felt' who it was. Wouldn't want to cross her."

"Five years and she's still clinging to those corpses. Every family gathering turns into a funeral with her around. Just mentioning her dead parents feels like a curse."

My forehead throbbed where the ashtray had hit, warm blood trickling down as I trembled silently.

Before I could speak, Rachel walked in carrying a stack of expensive-looking gifts.

The mood in the room flipped instantly. The sneers turned into smiles, the insults into praise. They swarmed around her like moths to a flame, lavishing her with compliments, while slipping in more digs at me between breaths.

I turned and walked upstairs without a word, locking myself in the guest room.

Martin arrived soon after, and right on cue, my mother-in-law rushed to complain.

"Your wife is unbelievable! Didn't greet anyone, just stormed off like she owns the place! If I didn't know better, I'd think I was the guest and she was the queen!"

Rachel quickly stepped in, linking arms with her.

"Mom, today's a happy day. Don't be mad at my sister-in-law. She's just feeling down. Please don't hold it against her."

"Oh she's down, alright, but it's not our fault! What, do we owe her something? She walks in looking like a ghost and ruins everyone's mood. I swear, she's cursed this house!"

Rachel smoothly changed the subject, and the room burst into laughter. It was as if nothing had happened. The noise downstairs grew louder, almost rattling the walls.

I couldn't take it anymore. Just as I opened the door to leave, Rachel appeared at the top of the stairs, blocking my way.

"Jessie," she said with a plastic smile. "Long time no see. Hope everything's been… good."

We were alone in the corner of the staircase, out of everyone's view. Her expression twisted, sweetness vanishing in an instant.

"What's wrong? Don't recognize me?" she said coldly.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten the case from five years ago?"