Chapter 1
I turned off my phone, took a deep breath, and walked back into the police station.
When I came out again, the name on the death certificate had been changed to Ethan Cole.
I was just about to go home when my daughter called.
"Mom! Come back, hurry!" Mia's voice was shaking. "Dad brought a woman into our house!"
The next second, a shrill female voice rang through the phone.
"You little brat! Who do you think you're calling Dad?"
"He isn't your dad anymore!"
"He's my husband now!"
Then Mia burst into tears, and the call was cut off.
My heart sank. I immediately hailed a cab and rushed home.
The moment I arrived at my front door, I saw several movers carrying my vanity table out.
Lena Lynn stood in the middle of my living room, chin lifted, ordering them around.
"Take that couch too. A widow and her child don't need that fancy thing anyway."
And "Evan Cole" stood off to the side, silently watching everything happen.
I rushed into the living room and blocked the movers who were about to take the TV.
"Stop! What do you think you're doing?"
Lena turned around with fake sympathy on her face.
"Oh, Claire, you're back."
She walked over and hooked her arm through mine.
"I just felt so sorry for you and your daughter. You won't need these things anymore, so I thought I'd help you get rid of them."
Mia ran out of her room and threw herself into my arms, her little face covered in tears.
"Mom, they're trying to take everything!"
I held my daughter tightly and looked at Ethan.
"And you're just watching?"
His eyes flickered. He avoided my gaze.
"Claire, Lena is only trying to help..."
"Help?" I let out a cold laugh and pointed at the living room, which had already been half-emptied. "Bringing people into my home while I'm away and stealing my things is what you call helping?"
Lena curled her lip.
"Don't make it sound so ugly. Now that Ethan is dead, keeping all this stuff here would be a waste."
When she said Ethan's name, she deliberately emphasized it.
I stared at her.
And suddenly, I understood.
Emotional?! Needed someone to look after her?!
All lies!
She had put on this act with Ethan on purpose, so they could be together without anyone questioning it.
And now she's trying to take everything I have!
"Lena," I said slowly, each word sharp and clear, "the death certificate may say Ethan, but I am his lawful wife. Every item in this house is marital property."
Her face changed.
Then she forced out a smile.
"Claire, don't be so petty. Ethan is dead. His brother is the one who should handle his things. You don't have the right to keep anything!"
I turned to Ethan.
"Is that what you think too?"
He lowered his head, his voice barely audible.
"Claire, just help me this once..."
"Good. Very good."
I nodded and took out my phone.
"Then I'll call the police."
Lena suddenly rushed at me, trying to snatch my phone.
"What are you doing? Why would you call the police over a family matter?"
