The Revenge of the Mute Wife by Melanie Paulson

Elliot: Deborah, are you okay?

Deborah: Yeah, I'm just relaxing at home. Why? 0.0?

Elliot: Phew... that's good to hear. It's chaos over here X-X. Reporters are everywhere, and Mom is going hysterical about not being able to leave the house without getting harassed. Deborah: Heh... that's new. Doesn't she usually love being the center of attention?

Elliot: She's crazy about being in the spotlight but not when it's a scandal involving her precious son.

Deborah: But this happened because she allowed Roger to have an affair with Sophia. So, I don't get what she's complaining about now. :/

Elliot: I know... Anyway, have the reporters been bothering you?

Deborah: Don't worry. I'm well hidden; they don't know where I live.

Elliot: Are you sure? With all the commotion, a neighbor might tip off the media about where you are.

Deborah: Even if a neighbor gives them a lead, the place I live has pretty tight security. They can't harass me that easily.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Elliot: That's good to hear, Debbie. I was worried they might show up at your place and bother you.

Deborah: But when the trial comes around, I wouldn't be surprised if your brother or my family has someone follow me to find out where I live.

Elliot: If you want, I can help get you a hotel during the trial.

Deborah: Thanks, but I'll pass... It's time to face this head-on. I'm tired of being everyone's doormat. It's time to stand up for myself.

Elliot: Alright, Debbie. Hey, would you like me to come with you to the trial?

Deborah: I already have someone else accompanying me. Besides, it's better if you don't. I don't want to cause you any trouble with your mom for helping me.

Elliot: I'm always in trouble with my mom :P But okay, I'll see you on Monday and give you all my support ;D

+15 BOHUS

Deborah: "Thanks :D. I'll leave you now; I have some things to do."

After sending that last message, Deborah put her phone aside and sighed. She settled more comfortably in her chair and turned on her laptop to start working. The world might be interested in her now, but no one would help her move forward after the trial. As she organized the documents her client had sent her for their tax return, she left the TV on a tabloid channel that was talking about the trial.

"Hey, guess what? Our investigators have found a lot of dirt about this upcoming trial," one of the hosts said excitedly.

"Really? Spill the tea," her co-host urged.

"Well, it seems poor Deborah has been used by the Andersons all this time. And now the Andersons are facing a lawsuit." "What?! No way, seriously?"

"Yep, it looks like they owe a lot of money to various banks and were living off money borrowed from their son-in-law." "What a scandal! They always acted so high and mighty in interviews, but it turns out they're poorer than us. "Gosh, what jerks."

"And they used to call themselves the perfect family and all that."

"Remember the last social event where we saw Deborah? They humiliated her because she wore an old dress. But now we know that was all she had because her husband gave everything to his mistress. Her family didn't even care about her. "Miserable scum. They lived in luxury thanks to her but never cared about her health or well-being."

""I call that karma.'

'Well, I agree with that.' Deborah smiled, thinking to herself as she looked up and saw the images the hosts showed to support their words. 'If Isabella can't stand this kind of attention, I can't imagine the drama Vanessa must be stirring up at home. Their friends must already be criticizing them.'