Malevolence

Chapter 1:

Please read the Writer's note before continuing to read this chapter.

Evelyn:

"I cannot believe it." Harlan sits back in his chair, utterly shocked as he stares at my laptop.

I shift in my seat, glancing around the room as I fidget with my nails. "I'm...I'm sorry Harlan. I just...I knew if I kept this from you –"

"You did the right thing Evelyn." Harlan assures me. "I just cannot believe Richard would do something like this." Harlan muses, studying the photo.

Harlan leans forward slightly and he turns his chair so he is looking at me. "Where were you when you took these photos?"

I tug at my earlobe, looking at my legs. "I was taking Sheila for a walk in the park and I spotted Richard strolling with who I thought was his work colleague. Well she is a work colleagues of his, but they seemed to be a little too comfortable with each other, so I followed them to the parking lot. That was when I saw Richard leaning over and kissing her."

Harlan looks at me with utter shock and falls back in his chair again. "Oh Linda..." he murmurs, "What am I going to tell her?"

You could tell Linda that she probably deserves to be hurt, but I will not say that out loud.

Also, that thought does sound a little too harsh.

"Would you like for me to send you the rest of the photos I took?" I ask, feeling a little uncomfortable asking this question.

I technically didn't stalk Richard and the woman...but I also kind of did...this entire situation makes me feel uncomfortable, but Harlan needs to know what is happening in his family.

Harlan darts his eyes to me. "Yes. I need to confront Richard about this. I need to know why he is cheating on his wife...my daughter." Harlan looks back at my laptop. "Oh Linda! She'd be heartbroken."

Maybe she – no. That thought is too cruel to think about.

"If you show these photos to Linda, she might divorce Richard." I mutter.

"I'd rather prefer her to divorce Richard than stay married to him if he is cheating on her. Did you manage to follow Richard after they kissed in the car?"

I look down, interlacing my hands together, and I look back up. "They drove to a hotel together." I say nervously, chewing my lip.

Harlan smacks his hand on the table, which in return, makes me jump in my seat.

"Then it's decided. Linda needs to know." Harlan declares.

"But how are you going to tell Linda? Richard is normally with her when they visit you." I point out.

"You're right." Harlan gasps.

He opens his desk draw and takes out a paper and pen, and starts writing. I look to see what he is writing, but I cannot see anything on the paper.

"Do you need a pen? I don't see any ink –"

"Linda will know how to read this letter." Harlan says as he writes.

I look down at my fingers again, only this time, my eyes gaze over the tan line around my finger. It feels odd not wearing Ransom's ring.

Ransom!

Shit!

Just thinking about him brings tears to my eyes.

That asshole broke my heart. He shattered it into tiny pieces, and I'm still struggling to put my heart back together.