Chapter 5: The Police and the Past

My stepmom changed her story on the spot, insisting it was a single-vehicle accident.

I kept pressing, saying things like this should be reported to the police first—at least to find the people, dead or alive.

Unexpectedly, my stepmom showed no fear and immediately said she fainted from anxiety, and after hearing my sister’s last words, she came to find me and forgot to call the police.

After that, she called the police right in front of me.

The dispatcher on the line sounded exasperated, like she was used to drama in this building.

"Ma’am, we can’t file a missing persons report if you don’t know where they were last seen. Is there anyone else who can give us details?"

“So after all that, we’re back to square one.”

“Your sister and brother-in-law owe huge debts and are determined to fake their deaths and take everything from you. They won’t be afraid of the police.”

“Just stick to not adopting. That’s all you need to do.”

Looking at the comments’ reminders, I knew it was easier said than done.

At the very least, my reputation would be completely ruined in the apartment complex;

At worst, if my sister and brother-in-law didn’t get what they wanted, they’d pester me endlessly.

I know their nature all too well.

My brother-in-law is addicted to gambling. He started betting on March Madness, then moved on to online poker. It never stopped. After marrying my sister for just a year, he squandered all the wedding gifts and her savings.

At that time, with creditors pressing hard, he came to borrow money from me.

At first, I lent him money a few times, even laid into him, telling him to stop.

But my brother-in-law refused to change, completely addicted to gambling, and the debts only grew.

After that, I stopped lending him money and threatened to have my sister divorce him if he kept it up.

Even then, my brother-in-law kept pestering me, trying every trick to get money.

I gritted my teeth and held firm, not giving him a cent.

My sister disappointed me even more. No matter how many times I tried to talk sense into her, it was useless. She was completely led around by my brother-in-law.

It seems that, since they couldn’t get money from me, they resorted to these despicable tricks.

I can’t imagine what even more outrageous things they might do if their plan fails. I pictured them lurking in some cheap motel off the interstate, dreaming up their next big con.