After the Toasts のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 8

My post hit the trending page within minutes, and notifications flooded my screen."Six feet tall, eighteen, passport ready.""What are the odds your husband murders us?""Lonely cougar seeking attention? The internet really has everything."Plenty of the replies were much uglier.I stared at them without expression.The cold light from my phone sharpened the tear tracks on my face.Then the phone rang.Derek's urgent voice came through the speaker."Honey, what was that post? Did you see the stupid video Mason uploaded?"I knew you'd read too much into it. It was scripted for views. Don't let it get in your head."My nails dug into my palm as I forced my voice to remain steady."He sounded convincing. For a second, I thought Leo might be your son."Derek hesitated, then answered too quickly."Evelyn, you cannot believe that. I swear to God."If I'm lying, may God strike me down."The oath came fast and frantic.At almost the same moment, I heard the keypad at the fron

The memorial luncheon had been set up to feel both solemn and warm.Derek stood beside Captain Ross, the precinct commander, in his dress uniform.The moment he saw me, he hurried over and lowered his voice."You actually came? There is nothing for you to do here. Why don't you head home?"I wore my best coat, carried my nicest handbag, and smiled."I'm already here. Supporting an officer's family is the right thing to do."The program began.Captain Ross spoke about Derek's late mentor and the other officers the department had lost in the line of duty.The room grew heavy and quiet.Eventually, the conversation turned to Valerie.Captain Ross patted Derek on the shoulder."You have done a great deal for Valerie over the years. Thomas would be grateful if he could see it."People around the table immediately agreed."Lieutenant Foster has always been loyal.""Valerie has had a difficult life. Thank goodness Derek has helped her.""Look at them. They might as well be marr

I replied to the unknown number.We agreed to meet the next afternoon at a quiet coffee shop.A plainly dressed young woman named Hannah Brooks stood when I approached the corner table.She looked nervous and kept stirring a drink she had barely touched."Mrs. Foster?"I nodded and sat across from her. "Do you know me?""I used to work at a private maternity residence."She lowered her voice."I was assigned to Valerie Pierce after she gave birth."My heart tightened.I kept my face calm."Go on.""Mr. Foster arranged everything. He paid in cash and demanded confidentiality."Hannah hesitated."I never planned to interfere, but I saw that video online a few days ago. Then I heard what happened at the luncheon."She paused."You have a right to know."She removed a worn employee logbook from her bag and pushed it across the table.The open page contained Valerie's admission record.It listed the date, age, room number, and visitors.Derek's name appeared again and ag

Mason approached me before I could approach him.He had lost weight, and dark hollows ringed his eyes. The swagger from his videos was gone."Evelyn."He gave me an awkward smile and lifted a bag of fruit."I heard you were staying here. I wanted to check on you."I walked around him and reached for my car door."Don't bother."He blocked me, suddenly desperate."I know you're angry with Derek and me, but the internet twisted everything. It wasn't what it looked like."I stopped and faced him."Mason, do you honestly think that line still matters?"His expression tightened."Valerie came to see you, didn't she?"He lowered his voice."Whatever she told you, don't believe her. She's unstable. She wants to destroy everyone around her.""I don't know whether she's unstable."I watched him carefully."I do know some people will do almost anything for money."The blood drained from Mason's face."What is that supposed to mean?""How are those unexplained deposits in your