"You're not marrying that man, Sharon. You're dodging a trap."
I called her back immediately.
Chelsea answered in a whisper, like she didn't want anyone to hear.
"Chelsea, sweetheart," I said gently. "You're not in trouble, I need you to know that. I will never reveal that you sent this."
I heard the teenager exhale slowly.
I called her back immediately.
"I wasn't trying to spy," Chelsea said quickly. "I just... I heard them. He didn't know I was there. And I know what he said was wrong. My mom — she told me to ignore it. She said, ‘That's just how men talk sometimes when women aren't around.' But that was just... cruel."
"Thank you for telling me, honey..."
"He said it about your money. And the house. And... your kids. That part made me feel sick."
I closed my eyes. That was the proof I'd needed.
"He didn't know I was there."
"You did the right thing. Truly. You've known my kids for three years. You protected them more than he ever did."
Chelsea didn't say anything else. She just hung up.
I listened to the recording once again: I needed to know exactly what Oliver thought of us.
**
The next morning, I made three calls.
First: the wedding planner.
"Sharon!" Melody chirped. "Big day tomorrow! Are we panicking yet?"
