I Raised My Husband's Love Child...Then He Shot Me

Chapter 26

I exhaled slowly, pressing the red button on my phone to end the call.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I carefully returned the robotic voice changer to its black velvet box.

Rachel should get the message now. If she knows what's good for her, she'll stay out of my business.

Just as I was about to stash the box away, a loud knock startled me.

"Susan, open the door!" Michael's voice came through sharp and demanding.

My heart skipped, and I quickly shoved the box deep into the drawer before straightening my dress.

I rushed to the door and unlocked it just as Michael stormed in. His face was tight with anger, his blue eyes blazing.

"Why was the door locked?" he demanded, voice laced with suspicion.

I forced a small laugh, brushing my hair back. "I was changing, Michael. You know how Ivan just barges in without knocking. Didn't want him walking in on me." Michael narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You're lying."

I stiffened but kept my face neutral. "Michael, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he grabbed the remote and flicked on the TV.

The screen lit up with BREAKING NEWS: RUSSO CORPORATION LINKED TO THE MURDER OF XAVIER CRAWFORD'S MOTHER.

My stomach twisted, a cold dread settling in as footage of Xavier's mother from three years ago flashed on screen, along with financial records and documents.

I turned to Michael, feeling like the floor had dropped out from under me. "What… What is this?"

Michael let out a bitter laugh. "What does it look like? Xavier and Rachel did this. It's their doing."

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. "First, Xavier takes my company. Now, he's dragging my family's name through the mud. He won't stop until he ruins us."

I swallowed hard. "Michael, calm down. Maybe this isn't Xavier's doing."

Michael's eyes snapped to mine, fury flashing in them. "Who else could it be, Susan? You think information like this just magically shows up on the news? He's behind it. I know it."

I reached for his hands, squeezing them gently. "Michael, listen. We'll fix this. We always do."

He yanked his hands away, shaking his head. "How, Susan? My family is already drowning in problems. If this turns into a criminal investigation, we're finished."

I bit my lip, trying to think. "Let's wait. Maybe it'll blow over."

Michael scoffed, humorless. "You really think that? This is Xavier Crawford we're talking about. He doesn't let things slide."

I didn't have a response to that.

Michael sighed, rubbing his temples. "I need to rest."

I watched as he walked toward the bed, the exhaustion catching up with him.

As soon as I was sure he had fallen asleep, I slipped out of the room.

I had to talk to Maria.

When I reached Maria's room, the dim light seeped under the door, but I could hear voices inside. It wasn't just Maria.

Gerald was there, and they were arguing.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to listen in.

"You expect me to believe you had no idea?" Gerald's voice was low but filled with anger.

Maria scoffed. "I wasn't handling the company's accounts back then, Gerald. You know that."

Gerald's voice grew more intense. "How convenient that the CFO from three years ago just so happened to die right after the accident."

Maria's tone turned cold. "What are you implying?"

"I'm saying it's suspicious," Gerald snapped. "Our company's being accused of funding a murderer, and the one person who could've cleared things up is dead. That's not a coincidence, Maria."

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. "Enough. Both of you."

Maria turned, her expression dark, while Gerald barely spared me a glance before storming out.

"You two shouldn't be fighting among yourselves," I said calmly. "We need to figure out what to do now that this is out in the open."

Maria exhaled sharply, walking to her bed. "For now, we do nothing."

I frowned. "Nothing?"

Maria met my gaze. "Xavier and Rachel think they've uncovered something big, but they're only scratching the surface. Let them believe they've won this round. We can't afford more attention right now."

I hesitated. "But what if they dig deeper?"

Maria's expression hardened. "Then we make sure they don't."

I crossed my arms. "You mean we keep lying."

Maria's jaw tightened. "We do what we must to protect this family."

I swallowed hard. "And Michael? He's already furious. He won't sit back and do nothing."

Maria sighed, her voice soft but firm. "That's why you need to handle him, Susan. Keep him under control."

I stiffened. "Michael isn't a child."

"No," Maria agreed. "But he's emotional. And right now, we can't afford reckless decisions."

I nodded slowly, understanding what she was asking of me.

Maria's lips pressed into a thin line. "No one can ever know the real truth, Susan. Not Xavier. Not Rachel. Not even Gerald."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "So what now?"

Maria looked at me, her gaze sharp. "For now, you suspend all your plans. No more games with Rachel. No more distractions. We wait."

I clenched my fists. "Maria–"

"No arguments, Susan," she interrupted, her tone final. "If you want to stay in this family, you'll listen."

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Fine. I'll wait."