The air in the sunroom seemed to crystallize. Martha’s gaze was fixed on my phone, her pupils dilated until her eyes were nothing but two bottomless pits of black. The mask of the grieving, betrayed wife didn't just slip, it disintegrated, replaced by a raw, primal fear that quickly curdled into rage."You recorded me," she whispered, her voice trembling with a pure, concentrated venom. "Your own mother. You trapped me like a common criminal in my own home.""You *are* a criminal, Martha," I said, my voice eerily calm. "Actually, 'common' is a compliment. Most criminals don't wait for years to gloat about the blood on their hands. I’m giving this to the police. It ends today.""Does it?" Martha snapped. She suddenly lunged for the table, grabbing the manila folder containing the original marriage contract. She pulled a slim, silver lighter from her pocket, the flame flicking to life with a sharp *clack*. "One flick of my thumb, Adrian. That’s all it takes. If this paper turns to ash,
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