Inside was a letter.
Dear Thomas,
If you’re reading this, I’m gone.
By now you’ve probably discovered that I didn’t leave you the house or my savings. If that disappoints you, I understand.
But before you decide I betrayed you, I need you to know something.
I knew exactly why you married me.
My chest tightened.
She had known.
From the very beginning.
You weren’t nearly as convincing as you believed. Every smile felt practiced. Every compliment sounded borrowed. But I also noticed something else…
Every time you thought no one was looking, you helped my elderly neighbors carry groceries. You repaired Mrs. Harper’s fence without charging her. You shoveled snow from Mr. Collins’ driveway before sunrise.
Greedy men don’t usually do those things.
I lowered the letter.
Memories rushed back.
I’d never done those jobs expecting anything.
They simply needed help.
