A Month After My Husband Died, I Found 27 Years of Rent Receipts for Another Woman—When She Opened the Door, I Recognized Her Immediately

“He said the children would lose their father.”

“That sounds like emotional blackmail.”

“It was.”

Then she smiled without humor.

“Eventually, I learned from him.”

PART 9 — THE FIRST PAYMENTS

At first, Charles offered money voluntarily.

Beatrice had medical problems.

A low-paying job.

Christopher had left little behind.