Part 7 — When the Mask Starts Falling Off
Three days later, it began.
Small things at first.
A coworker messaged Sharon:
“I saw what happened… I’m sorry you went through that.”
Then another:
“He always gave me weird vibes.”
Then another:
“You weren’t the first person he tried to rush into commitment.”
Sharon didn’t respond.
She didn’t need to.
Because truth doesn’t need defense when it spreads on its own.
Then Diane showed up.
Not calmly.
Not politely.
Angry.
Standing outside Sharon’s house like she still had authority over it.
Sharon opened the door only slightly.
Diane’s voice was sharp.
“You embarrassed my son.”
Sharon didn’t flinch.
“No. He embarrassed himself.”
Diane scoffed.
“You destroyed his future.”
Sharon tilted her head slightly.
“No. He tried to steal mine.”
That sentence landed heavy.
Diane hesitated for the first time.
“You don’t understand—”
Sharon interrupted quietly.
“I understand everything.”
And she closed the door.
Not dramatically.
Just final.
Part 8 — Oliver Tries One Last Time
