The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

After hearing Josh's news, I couldn't sit still. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions consumed me. I tried contacting Philip, desperate to ensure he was okay, but I didn't mention that I knew about his plans. I didn't want to worry him. My feelings were in turmoil over what to do. I was exasperated that Philip was doing this outrageous stunt because of me! He should have just asked me to join the race! But I couldn't just act and ruin his plan now. Other people were relying on me as well.

I forced myself to ignore Philip while monitoring the stock market... until my group passed by Serenity Pines Estate. I saw the woman again-the one I'd noticed when Jane and I went to Azuré's shop. "Please stop the van!" I commanded the driver.

"Miss?" He looked puzzled but complied.

He stopped the vehicle at the estate where Philip and I lived. Amanda looked confused. I exited and stared up at the imposing wrought-iron gates. The woman noticed me, her eyes widening in fear before she turned and sprinted away. 'What is wrong with this woman?'

I signaled Josh to chase her. The woman didn't get far before he caught up to her.

"Let go of me! I'll report you to the police for hurting me!" she yelled as Josh dragged her back towards me.

I approached the disheveled woman. "Who are you? You've been frequently loitering and watching my villa. What business do you have here?"

"Your villa? Are you President Cornell's wife?" She looked me over.

I refused to confirm or deny her assumption. "Remember, I can report you to the police for trespassing. Now, what were you doing lurking outside my Serenity Pines? Do you need something?"

She trembled with fear at my words. To my surprise, she suddenly dropped to her knees before me pleadingly.

"M-Miss, please... you have to help me!" She gulped with unshed tears. "My sister worked as a housekeeper at the Cornell mansion. She sent me a message saying she needed help, and then... then I never heard from her again. I just learned she died in a terrible fire."

Josh and I exchanged looks.

I steeled myself even though I felt pity for her. Losing a family member is painful. "If your sister worked at the Cornell mansion, why have you been coming here and spying on my home?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she continued crying uncontrollably. "I expected you might help me. My sister mentioned you several times. She said she felt sorry for you because Madam Cornell and Ms. Megan always mistreated and slandered you behind your back. I want to get justice for her death!"

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. How ironic that this troubled woman was pleading with me to help her obtain justice when I hadn't found any justice for myself.

Josh noticed my labored breathing and gently supported my back to keep me from collapsing. "Calm down," he whispered. Then he turned to the woman. "Listen, why exactly do you feel you need to seek justice?"

"Didn't they say the fire was intentional? Ms. Megan blamed President Cornell's wife, but I know the truth. In the days before the fire, my sister sent me messages. She had discovered something significant on the night of the fire, something that might be the reason she... she died in those flames." Her face crumpled as fresh tears sprang forth.

Josh and I exchanged a weighted look before he prompted, "And what did she discover?"

"A c-couple visited Ms. Megan's villa," she stuttered, "and my sister was the one who met them at the door. They claimed to be Ms. Megan's birth parents. They... they claimed to be Ms. Megan's real biological parents. And they demanded money from her to keep their identities a secret and not cause trouble!"

She shakily pulled out her phone, thumbing through it to find the message and showing it to me. It read: 'Ms. Megan's birth parents arrived at the villa and insisted on staying here! I thought Ms. Megan's family was supposed to be wealthy, and they even said they were on a cruise. I heard them arguing, and then, the couple left after getting some money!'

"I never spoke to her again after that," the woman continued. "I showed this to the police because I strongly feel it's impossible my sister got caught in the fire at the villa. My sister was a light sleeper; she would have woken up immediately. But the investigators told me this can't be used."

I looked at Josh, uncertain if he knew anything about Megan's true identity. He seemed indifferent. Regardless of whether this new information was accurate, one thing was clear: Josh had also been deeply hurt by Megan's lies and manipulations.

"Is Megan still inside?" I inquired Josh.

Josh remained stoic, but his eyes darkened, betraying his emotions. "I'm not sure. From what I understand, Boss Philip had already asked her to leave because she was overstaying. Besides, he hasn't been here much since returning from Dubai. He practically lives at Luminary Productions' office."

The iron gate of Serenity Pines swung open slowly, probably triggered by the cameras spotting us near the tall perimeter wall.

"Madam Sarah!" a guard exclaimed in surprise upon seeing me.

To my knowledge, five guards were assigned to watch over Megan.

"Where's Megan?" I demanded.

"S-she's inside the main residence, ma'am," the guard stuttered, clearly uncomfortable.

"Call the police!" I instructed Josh. I was still under investigation after Megan accused me of burning down her villa. Glancing at the woman, I added, "And you, you're not to leave this place, are we clear?"

I strode past them and entered the premises. The guards followed, alongside the nervous brunette, whose name I had yet to learn.

Inside, I spotted Megan lounging comfortably with a green clay mask adorning her face, engrossed in a large television.

"Well, isn't this quite the cozy setup, someone squatting in someone else's home," I remarked.

"You-! What are you doing here?" she snapped, rising from the couch.

"I'm here to expose your lies, Megan! You set fire to your own villa so you could move into Serenity Pines," I declared with a smirk.

The guards stayed perfectly motionless, their faces betraying no emotion.

Megan let out a dramatic gasp, clapping her hands together. "Sarah, who in their right mind burns down their own house? You're the one suspected of burning down my villa out of jealousy and malice! I've had to rely on Philip's kindness and stay in this humble place because of what you did!"

I gave a hollow chuckle. "Hmm... and you think I'm unaware of your actions? Let's review why purposely destroying your own property works entirely to your benefit: Firstly, your villa was fully insured, so you anticipate a substantial payout once it's proven you're innocent of starting the fire. Secondly, you're free to stay here at Serenity Pines Estate, under the belief that you'll be living with Philip.

"Third, you're obviously trying to blame me by using our complicated history with Philip. And finally, you orchestrated the death of your maid in the fire; she knew the truth about your manipulative nature. Her testimony could have exposed the real you!"

Megan's ruby-painted lips trembled slightly as the blood drained from her face.

"You are annoying, meddlesome bitch!" she screamed, her eyes burning with undisguised hatred as she closed the distance between us.