The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 288

Grace was the one who paid for the hit. She bribed Alex to stage the car accident—the one that killed Mom.

The second Alex caught the look in Reese’s eyes, he practically jumped back, his hands shaking. “No, no, it wasn’t my fault! I swear!

“It was Grace. She’s the one who killed your mother, not me!

“She gave me a ton of money to cause that accident on Marie’s way to meet Bailey. She didn’t want them to see each other.

“Yeah, I’d had a few drinks, but I never meant for anyone to die. I just wanted to damage the car a little. I didn’t even realize the brakes were messed with until I tried to stop!

“Don’t come after me. Go after Grace if you want revenge. She’s the one who had someone tamper with the brakes!

“I’ve already spent more than ten years in prison for this. I paid my dues. Please, just leave me alone!”

Reese’s voice was tight, every word dragged out through clenched teeth. “Why should I believe you? Where’s your proof?”

She glared at Alex, forcing herself not to break down. “You were behind the wheel. You hit her. She’s dead because of you. Why do you get to keep living?”

“No, please! Don’t do this! Have mercy!”

The moment their eyes met, Alex’s whole body went rigid. It was like he was right back in the nightmare he’d been running from for years.

Cornered, he stumbled backward and landed hard on the coffee table. The jolt seemed to snap him out of his panic, and he nodded frantically.

“I have proof! I swear, I do! It’s buried under the tree behind my old house in Greenville!

“I recorded Grace when I confronted her. She admitted to ordering the brake sabotage. She told me to take the blame and promised she’d take care of my family.

“But after I went to prison, my wife got sick and died. My daughter doesn’t even speak to me anymore.

“I’ve lost everything. I’m a victim too!”

Reese and George exchanged a look—both of them realizing how serious this was.

“You take us to that recording,” Reese said, her voice ice-cold, “and agree to testify in court. I’ll talk to my client about letting you go.”

“I’m working on some big projects with the government here in Bridger Lake. There’s nothing I can’t get done.”

She was bluffing, but Alex didn’t need to know that. All he saw was power—and a threat.

He hesitated, then slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, worn photo. It showed a girl, maybe ten or eleven, beaming at the camera.

“I haven’t seen my daughter in over a decade. Let me see her, and the recording is yours.”

That was his only real regret—not watching his daughter grow up.

If he could see her, just once, he wouldn’t have any more regrets.

“Her name’s Nicole. I heard she’s somewhere in Bridger Lake. That’s why I came here, but I couldn’t find her.”

Reese took the photo and stared down at the bright, smiling girl. There was something familiar about her, but she just couldn’t place where she’d seen her before.