My parents collapsed. I have nothing left. I swirled my wine glass, leaning against the door frame, and let him talk. He crawled two steps toward me on his knees. I realized that you you were my only love.

Let's get back together. You still love me, right? That's why even after the divorce, you're still using my I almost spat out the wine. The name Valerie was my given name, the one I had carried for over 30 years. But in his delusion, he thought I was doing something out of lingering feelings for him.

Jason, I sighed. First, I never changed my last name. Second, how did you find me? His gaze wavered. "I...

I hired a private investigator." And how much did that cost you? 50,000? 80,000? He stammered.

It was an obvious lie. I'm guessing you paid for it with the black money you hid under Chloe's name. Jason's face instantly turned ashen. How do you know that? It's not the only thing I know.

I stepped aside to let him in. Come on, since you've traveled so far, I'll treat you to some tea. He stumbled into the living room. I walked deliberately slowly, giving him the chance to observe every detail of the villa, the high ceilings, the vast lake and mountains visible through the massive windows, the original paintings by famous artists on the walls, and the antiques seemingly arranged at random but of incalculable value. "All this is yours," he said, his voice trembling.

I served him the cheapest tea I had. "Sit." Jason sat cautiously on the edge of the sofa like a country bumpkin visiting the big city for the first time. His eyes darted around until they finally landed on the jade bracelet on my left wrist. It was another family heirloom inherited from my grandmother.

That bracelet? It looks familiar. Of course it looks familiar. I smiled. Your mother tried to borrow it once.

I said no. His Adam's apple bobbed visibly. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Valerie, I know I messed up in the past, but I truly regret it. Look, I have nothing left.

They confiscated my passport. I had to enter Switzerland illegally. How touching, I said, taking a sip of wine. And you came all this way to give me another chance. He suddenly grabbed my hand.

We can start over. You have money. You have contacts. We can bounce back. I swear to you, from now on, I will only live for you.

I pulled away and took a file folder from a drawer. Before we talk about starting over, there are a few things you should know. Jason opened the folder confused. Inside were several DNA test reports. He read them quickly and his face turned to stone.

This is impossible. Chloe's son is a Gallagher. Yes, I said calmly. But he's not your son. According to the results, there's a 99.99% chance he's Michael's.

Michael, my brother Jason's hands began to shake. She slept with my brother, too. And that's not all. I handed him a few more photos. The deed to the penthouse you bought by embezzling company funds is in her name and her cousin's name.

By the way, that cousin is actually her high school sweetheart. The photo slipped from his hands. He slumped into the sofa like a puppet with its strings cut. Why? Why are you telling me all this?

Because you need to know. I leaned toward him and enunciated every word. You didn't lose everything because I took revenge on you. You lost it because of your own stupidity and greed. A spark of rage flashed in Jason's eyes, but he quickly returned to his pitiful expression.

Valerie, I know you hate me, but for the eight years we spent together, 8 years, I couldn't help but laugh. Do you mean the 8 years you built your business with my money while sleeping with your secretary? Or the 8 years your whole family conspired to force me to accept your mistress? He snapped his head up. "You knew about my secretary?"

Jason asked. I shook my head. Do you know why I was able to exact my revenge on you so perfectly? Because I know you too well. Your habits, your weaknesses, all your dirty little secrets.

I walked over to the bookshelf and pulled out a photo album. For example, do you know why I transferred the assets the way I did? I opened the album and pointed to an old photo. This was the method your mother used to get rid of your father's mistress. I just took a page out of her playbook.

In the photo, a young Phyllis posed triumphantly in front of a pile of jewelry. The background was an empty apartment as if it had been ransacked. Jason's face turned ash gray. You liar. I closed the album.

Compared to what your family did to me, I have been very merciful. At least I wasn't the one who caused your mother to have a stroke or your father to have a heart attack or your brother to end up in jail. What? Michael is in jail. He jumped up.

What did you do? I didn't do anything. I threw my hands up innocently. He embezzled company funds to gamble. The evidence was irrefutable.