Chapter 12 - The Sickening Plot
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The messages read like a playbook for psychological warfare.
Lorraine: “Your wife needs to learn who's in charge. She embarrassed me, she cut off your sister, and now she’s controlling the money like a dictator.”
Lorraine: “On her birthday, we'll come early with Tabitha and the kids. We’ll arrive at 5:30 AM.”
Lorraine: “Make her get up. Tell her we’re there for a family breakfast. Make her prepare the food, serve us, and clean up. Show her that she serves this family.”
Lorraine: “If she refuses, stand your ground. Don't let her back into the bedroom. You need to break this independent streak of hers, Garrett.”
I felt physically nauseous. I scrolled down with a trembling thumb to see Garrett’s response. I prayed to whatever God was listening that he had defended me. That he had told his mother she was insane.
Garrett: “What if she gets angry and kicks you out again?”
Lorraine: “You're a man, Garrett. You are the head of the household. Or are you going to let a woman control you for the rest of your life? If she resists, dump a glass of water on her head to wake her up. Assert dominance.”
There was a three-minute gap in the timestamps. I held my breath, waiting to see if he would draw a line. If he would protect his wife.
Garrett: “Okay, Mom. I'll wake her at five so she has time to cook before you get here.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, hot and stinging, but it wasn't born of sadness. It was pure, unadulterated rage.
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I quietly pressed the lock button, making the screen go black. I placed the phone back on the nightstand, exactly an inch from the edge, just as he had left it.
The woman who loved Garrett died on that bed.
