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176 — TWO BLACK VANS.

Author: Blaq
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-19 04:32:44

ASTRID

We’re all crowded around behind Hayley, peering at her laptop as she navigates to the most recent video — a CCTV footage.

“I called in a favour from a friend at the Department of Transportation and he went through a lot of stress to retrieve traffic camera footage along the truck’s route.”

The video’s timestamp shows the day of the supposed attack.

My nerves tingle with anticipation as I watch our company’s Hyundai cargo truck navigate through the busy traffic. The driver turns into a small street with even lesser traffic, and that is when things start to look a bit fishy.

“Watch here.” Hayley says, her finger pointing at the screen.

Along the street, the truck encounters a road block. A couple of traffic cones and a lit up arrow sign diverts traffic onto N off-ramp.

Apparently, the road is being maintained by uniformed construction workers. A couple of figures in neon yellow vests thrown over thick coveralls, and hard hats wave at the truck.

One of the workers walks up and
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  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   189 — HIS CONFESSION (3)

    SILVAN“What?” Astrid gasps.A bitter chuckle crawls up my throat.“That was my exact reaction when I found out. I was angry, traumatized. But I still couldn’t summon enough courage to challenge him.Dorothy was… younger than my mother. More exuberant. And very much a trophy wife. The first day I set eyes on her, I knew my father only married her for her beauty. And she was only there for the money. Within one week of marriage, she owned five sports cars, a hefty personal account, and a private jet on standby to take vacations anytime she wanted. My father gave her everything my mother begged for before her death. So naturally, I despised her.Dorothy was very much aware of my hatred for her. We tried to stay out of each other’s way and that worked for the first three months. Until it didn’t.”I don’t realize that I’m trembling until Astrid takes my hand in hers. She kisses the back of my palm, her eyes shimmering with assurance. And that is the only confidence boost I need.“Turns

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   188 — HIS CONFESSION (2)

    SILVAN“That was when the domestic violence started.” I clench my teeth, my chest bubbling with rage. “Henry hit my mother at the slightest provocation. Sometimes they argued for hours, and through it all, I sat downstairs helpless until he stormed out of the house after leaving her unconscious yet again.It became worse when my mother proposed a divorce. Henry was furious. The beatings got worse. He refused to let her go, even when she begged to leave. One day, I recall I had just turned seven and they were arguing as usual. I made up my mind that I wouldn’t stand back and watch Henry abuse my mother anymore. This time, I was ready to fight him to death.”My chest tightens with guilt.I press my forehead to the cool glass, blinking rapidly to ease the stinging pressure behind my eyes.“I did try to help her. I screamed at Henry to leave her alone. I clawed at his legs. I even begged at some point. But he threw me out of the house, into the freezing rain. I was abandoned outside for

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   187 — HIS CONFESSION…

    SILVANTen minutes later, my knees are still weak from shock.She trusts me.My wife trusts me!Astrid is currently seated on my lap, wrapped up in my arms while I gently blow dry her hair. This position is a tad uncomfortable, but I would rather tear a tendon than move a muscle right now. I know I’m stalling. I know I’d have to tell her everything eventually, but the dark voice in my brain keeps asking the same questions;“What if she becomes disgusted after hearing my story? What if she doesn’t believe me?What if she thinks I’m crazy, just like my therapist did?“So, what’s the deal with Dorothy Melbourne?” She asks, holding my gaze. “I saw the video.” Her voice lowers to a whisper; “I watched you…” her voice trails off and she lowers her head.She watched me murder my step mother. Right then, I came to a conclusion: I am done worrying about consequences. I’m tired of keeping secrets. “Come on, Angel. Get up.” Astrid glances at me, eyes narrowed in confusion, “what? Are you lea

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   186 — HIS WIFE

    SILVAN“And swollen.” Zara completes.“She said it was because she watched a sappy movie on the plane, but we don’t believe her. Right, Zara?”Zara nods enthusiastically and I feel like shit all over again. This is all my fault. All my fucking fault. “You know what? How about you two go with Alice while I try to make mommy feel better. Is that okay?”“Sure!” They chorus, their voices high-pitched and excited.After dropping another thousand kisses on my cheeks, they saunter off, dribbling the maid on their way to the indoor playground. For the first time in years, my insides swirl with anxiety as I approach the huge entrance doors.I’ve barely taken three steps into the polished house when a female voice stops me in my tracks,“Are you here for Astrid?”I spin on my heels to find an older, beautiful woman staring at me, her soft green eyes shimmering beneath the indoor lights. I recognize her instantly. She played a huge role at our wedding. “Mrs. Manuel.”Her lips curl in a sma

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   185 — MEXICO

    SILVAN“What did you say to me?”Michael straightens the lapels of his suit, seeming a tad uneasy.“Sir, Diane Melbourne was here a while ago. I’m not sure what happened but after she left, Mrs. Machiavelli was incredibly upset.”Those words hit me like a physical blow. No. God, no…Panic, raw and cold, slices through my chest. Without thinking, I take off running towards Astrid’s office. I need to see her. I need to explain…When I finally arrive, my heart almost stops beating at the emptiness of the room. “Where is she?!” I ask no one in particular. “Where’s my wife?!”“Mr. Rourke.” Footsteps echo behind me as Thea walks into the office. Just like Michael, she seems… uneasy.Judging from the look on her face, and the fact that she refuses to meet my gaze, I can tell that something’s wrong.Astrid is not here. She’s gone.The world tilts. My heart constricts so tightly, I can barely breathe. My knees give way and I sink into the chair, completely numb.Diane Melbourne got to Astr

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   184 — BOUND FOR MEXICO

    ASTRID“Ma’am, should I call Mr. Rourke?” Thea hovers by the door, her forehead wrinkled with frown lines. “Who was that woman anyways? What did she want?”I look up and her lips part in a shocked gasp when she notices my tear-stained cheeks. Thea appears before me in an instant, her eyes shooting sparks;“Okay, what did that bitch do? She hasn’t gone far. There’s still time to drag her back here and beat her ass—““Silvan killed someone.” I blurt, wiping roughly at my cheeks. The temperature in the room drops by a few hundred degrees. Thea staggers backwards, nearly tripping on the sofa behind her.“What?!” I’m pretty sure her voice can be heard two buildings down.“Thank you for not overreacting.” My tone is a tad too sarcastic but right now, I cannot bring myself to care.“Ma’am, you cannot possibly believe —““She had evidence.” I interrupt, reaching for the box of tissue, “she has videos, Thea. I saw him do it with my own two eyes.”Thea shakes her head, her ponytail bobbing a

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