Chapter 4: The Woman Who Knew Everything
For the first time in years, Simone saw fear on Andre’s face.
Not anger.
Not annoyance.
Not the cold expression he wore whenever he wanted her to feel small.
Fear.
It lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
Because Andre was always prepared.
He always had an explanation.
A reason.
A way to make every question somehow become Simone’s fault.
But that message had broken something.
Karen’s name was on the screen.
And the words were impossible to ignore.
*You need to tell Simone the truth before I do.*
Simone stared at the phone.
Her hands felt numb.
“What truth?””
Andre didn’t answer.
“Who is she?””
Still nothing.
Elaine looked between them.
“Andre.””
He finally looked up.
“It’s complicated.””
Simone let out a quiet laugh.
A painful one.
“Of course it is.””
“Simone—”
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I don’t want another explanation that makes me feel crazy for asking.””
Andre’s jaw tightened.
“You’re twisting this.””
“Am I?””
“Yes.””
“Then tell me what I’m twisting.””
The kitchen became silent.
Andre looked at Elaine.
Then back at Simone.
“You’re upset.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“You’re emotional.””
“That’s not an answer either.””
He stepped closer.
“Because you don’t understand the situation.””
Simone looked at him.
“Then help me understand.””
He opened his mouth.
Stopped.
And that pause said everything.
Elaine noticed too.
“Who is Karen?””
Andre ran a hand over his face.
“She’s someone from work.””
“You said that already.””
“Because it’s true.””
“Then why does she know about my daughter’s injury?””
Andre didn't respond.
Simone’s chest tightened.
That was the first question he couldn’t redirect.
Elaine stepped closer.
“Answer me.””
Andre looked away.
“She was there.””
The words fell quietly.
But they hit like a crash.
Simone blinked.
“What?””
Elaine’s face changed.
“Where was she?””
Andre said nothing.
“Where was she?”” Simone repeated.
He looked at her.
“At the house.””
The room seemed to tilt.
Simone gripped the edge of the counter.
“Why was she at our house?””
“She came by.””
“At night?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Andre’s silence lasted too long.
Simone felt tears forming.
“No.””
She shook her head.
“No, don't do that.””
“Do what?””
“Make me pull every answer out of you.””
Andre sighed.
“She came to talk.””
“About what?””
“Work.””
Simone stared.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“It’s the truth.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because you would have reacted exactly like this.””
She looked at him.
“Exactly like what?””
“Accusing me.””
Elaine stepped forward.
“Stop.””
Andre looked at her.
“You don’t know what happened.””
“Then explain.””
“I’m trying.””
“No.””
Elaine’s voice hardened.
“You’re controlling the conversation.””
Andre looked surprised.
“What?””
“You keep answering questions with accusations.””
Simone looked at her mother.
Because that was exactly what Andre did.
Every time.
Elaine turned back to him.
“My daughter asked why another woman was in her house. That is a simple question.””
Andre clenched his jaw.
“She needed help.””
Simone frowned.
“Help with what?””
Nobody answered.
Then Karen’s name flashed again.
Another call.
Andre looked at the screen.
He didn’t pick up.
Simone watched him.
“You’re not going to answer?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because this isn’t the time.””
“When is the time?””
Andre looked at her.
“Not in front of your mother.””
The words made Simone’s stomach turn.
Because he knew.
He knew Elaine was a witness now.
He knew he couldn’t control everything.
Simone reached for the phone.
Andre immediately grabbed it.
“Don’t.””
The reaction was instant.
Too instant.
Elaine saw.
“Let go of her.””
Andre released the phone.
Slowly.
Simone took it.
Her fingers trembled as she looked at the screen.
Karen had called three times.
There were also several messages.
She opened the conversation.
The first message was from earlier that evening.
*Karen: I know you don’t want to talk about it, but she deserves the truth.*
The second:
*Karen: I should have stopped you that night.*
Simone stopped breathing.
The third:
*Karen: I saw what happened.*
Her hands began shaking.
Elaine saw her expression.
“What does it say?””
Simone couldn’t speak.
Andre reached toward the phone.
“Give me that.””
She stepped back.
“No.””
“Simone.””
“No.””
For once, she didn’t care if he was angry.
She kept reading.
There was one more message.
Sent just minutes ago.
*Karen: I’m done protecting you. I’m coming over.*
Simone looked up.
“She’s coming here.””
Andre went pale.
Elaine noticed.
“Why are you afraid of her coming here?””
“I’m not.””
“You are.””
“I’m not.””
“You are.””
Andre looked toward the front window.
Then back at Simone.
“You need to understand something.””
Simone waited.
“When Karen arrives, she’s going to try to make me look like the villain.””
Simone stared at him.
“Why would she do that?””
“Because she’s angry.””
“At you?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He didn’t answer.
Elaine crossed her arms.
“Maybe because she knows something.””
Andre’s expression changed.
“You’re enjoying this.””
Elaine looked offended.
“My daughter is standing in front of me with a bruise on her face, and you think I’m enjoying this?””
“No.””
“Good.””
She stepped closer.
“Because I’m not interested in your marriage falling apart.””
Her voice lowered.
“I’m interested in knowing if my daughter is safe.””
Simone looked down.
Safe.
That word felt strange.
Like something meant for other people.
Not her.
A knock came from the front door.
Everyone froze.
Once.
Twice.
Andre whispered:
“No.””
Simone looked toward the hallway.
Her heart began racing.
Elaine moved closer to her.
“Stay with me.””
The door knocked again.
This time harder.
Andre stood still.
He looked like he wanted to run.
The woman who had always been in control was gone.
Simone noticed.
And she hated that part of her still wanted to comfort him.
The door opened slightly.
A woman’s voice came from outside.
“Andre?””
Nobody moved.
Then the woman stepped inside.
She was younger than Simone expected.
Maybe early thirties.
Dark hair.
Tired eyes.
She looked nervous.
But not afraid.
Her eyes moved around the room.
Then landed on Simone.
The woman’s face fell.
“Oh my God.””
Simone felt something twist in her chest.
Because Karen didn’t look like an enemy.
She looked guilty.
“I’m sorry,” Karen whispered.
Andre immediately stepped forward.
“You shouldn’t have come here.””
Karen looked at him.
“You said you would tell her.””
“Not like this.””
“There was never going to be a good time.””
Simone stared at them.
“Tell me what?””
Karen looked at Andre.
Then at Simone.
“I saw what happened last weekend.””
Andre’s voice sharpened.
“Karen.””
But she continued.
“I was there when you pushed her.””
The room went completely silent.
Simone felt like she had been hit.
Even though she already suspected.
Hearing someone else say it made it real.
Elaine reached for her hand.
Karen’s eyes filled with tears.
“I should have said something sooner.””
Andre shook his head.
“You don’t know what you saw.””
Karen looked at him.
“I know exactly what I saw.””
“You were drunk.””
“I was not.””
“You were upset.””
“I was scared.””
Andre’s face hardened.
“Be careful.””
Karen flinched.
And Simone noticed.
Because Karen reacted the same way she did.
Like she knew that tone.
Like she had heard it before.
Simone whispered:
“Why were you there?””
Karen looked at her.
The answer took a moment.
Then she said:
“Because Andre and I weren’t just coworkers.””
Simone felt her heart stop.
Elaine’s grip tightened around her hand.
Andre closed his eyes.
May you like
And Karen said the words that changed everything.
“We were having an affair.””
