I came home and found my husband punishing my eight-year-old daughter because he claimed she had torn his mistress’s $10,000 dress.

down.

“I found messages.”

He turned the screen toward me.

It showed a conversation between Vanessa and a woman named Tasha.

I read only a few lines.

Once the wife is gone, I’ll have access to everything.

Then:

He believes anything I tell him.

And finally:

If this doesn’t work, I already have someone else lined up.

Derek’s voice broke slightly.

“She played me.”

I handed back the phone.

“No.”

His head snapped up.

“What?”

“She lied to you.”

“That’s what I just said.”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“She