“This is textbook emotional abuse and fraud. We can build a strong case for sole guardianship, potentially restraining order, and even press charges if the financial manipulation is clear. But we need more evidence—especially if she’s pushing for marriage to gain legal claim.”
I nodded. “That’s why the wedding is happening.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“It ends Saturday.”
I also reached out to Mom’s old friends, my coworkers, and a few of Jenna’s colleagues who I knew weren’t fully in her inner circle. I planted seeds without revealing everything: “Things have been really hard. I’m worried about the girls’ stability.” I asked my best friend, Marcus, to film the wedding discreetly on his phone.
By Friday night, Jenna was glowing. She’d picked up her dress, booked a photographer for “candid moments,” and even started browsing honeymoon destinations on her laptop while the girls did homework quietly at the kitchen table.
“They’ve been so well-behaved,” she said sweetly, ruffling Lily’s hair. The girl flinched slightly. I saw it. Jenna didn’t.
That night, after Jenna fell asleep, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. The recordings had captured more: her complaining to her friend Karen about “brats ruining my figure” and “Ethan’s salary barely covering their stupid activities.” She had researched how marriage would give her community property rights over the house. She’d even looked up how difficult it would be to “encourage” the adoption process along.
My heart ached for my sisters sleeping down the hall. They’d lost their mother. Now they’d almost lost their brother to a predator wearing a fiancée’s face.
---
Saturday morning arrived bright and clear. Jenna woke up buzzing with energy. She made the girls pancakes—her last performance. “Big day for all of us!” she chirped.
The courthouse was small but formal. Jenna’s parents were there, a few of her sorority sisters, Karen (the phone friend), and my side: Marcus, my coworker Priya, and surprisingly, my boss who I’d confided in partially. The twins sat quietly in the front row in matching blue dresses I’d bought them the day before.
