Semua Bab The So-Called Walking Lie Detector: Bab 1 - Bab 10

In a matter of minutes, 20 thousand dollars hit my account just like that. I was the one who'd asked for a divorce, so of course my wife's mother, Connie Bronson, couldn't wait to see me gone.Ever since Shawn Quill started showing off his so-called lie-detecting skills, my reputation had been completely trashed.After I got a vasectomy, my recovery hadn't gone well, and I'd gone to the urologist a few times. Shawn had twisted that into "proof" that I had some disgusting STD.Every month, I used my own money to feed and care for stray cats. Shawn had turned that into a rumor that I was secretly keeping some college student on the side.Every single time, my wife, Eunice Quill, believed him without question. Everyone else did, too. I'd long since become the biggest joke in their wealthy little circle.Unable to take the humiliation, I'd kicked up a fuss and fought back more than once. But whenever I'd tried to defend myself, I'd just come off looking crazy and stupid."You believe

"Why are you suddenly packing your things and Callum's?" Eunice asked.She looked at me in confusion, her gaze making every nerve in my body pull taut."Callum…" I paused, pressed my lips together, and continued, "He wants to stay at Mom's place for a few more days."In the end, I swallowed the truth. I refused to humiliate myself, and I didn't want to use Callum's death to test Eunice's feelings. It wasn't worth it.She let out a breath of relief and nodded, as if everything made sense now. "It all works out. Shawn's going to be staying with us for a few days, anyway. He can just sleep in Callum's room."My heart clenched hard, like I'd taken a punch straight to the chest.Shawn had always had free run of this house. He could come and go whenever he pleased. Most of the time, he felt more like the real owner here, while Callum and I were just temporary guests.I'd blown up over this before. Eunice had sworn up and down that she wouldn't let Shawn just move in whenever he wanted

Callum's name was the one on the cremation notice."How is this possible? There must be some mistake!" Eunice cried.Connie sounded confused on the other end of the line. "What mistake? I bet this is another one of Finn's tricks. Tell Shawn to expose him. I just can't stand—"Before she could finish, Eunice cut her off, her voice shaking, "Mom, Callum… Callum is getting cremated."On the other end, Connie froze. "What on earth is going on? Why would Callum be getting cremated when he's perfectly fine? Find Finn and get answers from him right now!"Eunice hung up, feeling panicked, and dialed my number. But even after over ten attempts, the only reply she got was a cold, mechanical female voice. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later…"Each repetition of that message felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. She lost her patience and rushed straight to the crematorium.She almost broke down at the front desk. "There has to be a mi

The surveillance footage was crystal clear. It showed me entering Callum's bedroom three days ago, with Shawn right on my heels.Through the audio, Eunice could vaguely make out Shawn's furious hiss. "Yes, I wanted to get rid of him. He kept clinging to Eunice and calling her Mom. I got sick of hearing it. Now, Eunice can spend more time with me."A few minutes later, the noise indicated that we'd gotten into a scuffle. Then, Shawn pulled a gas canister out of his pocket and hurled it hard at me, then rushed out and locked the door behind him.The truth was laid bare. Eunice looked at Shawn in utter disappointment. "So, this is the real you. I cared deeply about you, Shawn. Yet you killed my son, and now you're out to kill my husband, too?"Her chest heaved with anger, and her eyes turned red. All these years, she'd always felt sorry for Shawn because he was an orphan. That was why she'd favored him a little more, no matter what happened. It turned out that he'd ultimately let a wo

"Finn," Connie called my name with warmth. There was no trace of her usual high and mighty tone. "Finn, it was a moment of madness that made me believe that bastard Shawn. I've come to my senses now, and I don't want you and Eunice to get divorced. Why don't you two… just get remarried?"Connie had always looked down on me in the past. Thanks to Shawn's constant sowing of discord, she'd tried more than once—overtly and secretly—to force me to divorce Eunice.A few days ago, when I'd taken the initiative to ask for 20 thousand dollars in exchange for a clean break with Eunice, Connie had agreed without hesitation.I had to admit I hadn't expected her attitude to pull a full 180, but I didn't bother digging into the reason. I tried to keep it polite. "Mrs. Quill, the divorce is already done, and I won't turn back. We used to be family, so I hope you'll do the decent thing and give me back Callum's ashes. I won't bother you again."Seeing how firm I was, Connie opened her mouth as if