Chapter 3 - The Pension Card
For the first week, Vanessa behaved perfectly.
She brought Margaret tea.
She reminded her to take medication.
She posted a photograph of them together with the caption:
Taking care of the woman who raised the man I love.
Margaret tried to believe the kindness was real.
Then Vanessa found the pension card.
It was inside Margaret’s purse beside a small notebook containing monthly expenses.
“You receive this much every month?” Vanessa asked.
Margaret reached for the card.
“It covers my medicine and bills.”
“You’re staying here for free.”
“Ethan invited me.”
Vanessa held the card away from her.
“Then you should contribute.”
Margaret offered to pay for groceries.
Vanessa laughed.
“This house costs more in one month than your entire pension.”
The truth was that Margaret’s late husband had provided most of the money used to purchase the mansion.
But Ethan had never discussed family finances with Vanessa in detail.
Vanessa assumed everything belonged to him.
And because they were married, she assumed it would eventually belong to her.
She took Margaret’s card and demanded the PIN.
Margaret refused.
Vanessa’s expression hardened.
“You can give it to me willingly, or I can tell Ethan you’re becoming confused.”
Margaret stared at her.
“Why would he believe that?”
“Because I live with him. You visit.”
The words struck harder than Vanessa intended.
Margaret had always worried that marriage would move her son away from her.
She did not want to create conflict while his company faced disaster.
She gave Vanessa the PIN.
Within three days, Vanessa withdrew nearly four thousand dollars.
She bought a handbag, paid a spa membership and told Margaret the money covered household expenses.
When Margaret asked for the card back, Vanessa locked it inside her bedroom safe.
“You’ll lose it.”
“I’ve managed my money for fifty years.”
“Things change when people get old.”
Rosa noticed Margaret had no cash for medication.
She confronted Vanessa.
The next morning, Vanessa fired her.
She told Ethan by message that Rosa had repeatedly arrived late.
Ethan was occupied with negotiations and accepted the explanation.
Vanessa replaced Rosa with no one.
May you like
Margaret was left alone with her.
👉 Once Rosa was gone, Vanessa no longer had to hide her contempt—and Margaret’s first attempt to call Ethan was intercepted before he heard a single word.
