His wife made everything harder. She was kind, warm, and trusting. Each time she called or visited, I felt the weight of what I was doing. I told myself I’d quit, but fear kept me there—fear of losing my job, of causing conflict, of stepping out of line.
Then one afternoon, she walked into the office. My phone buzzed instantly—Richard telling me to repeat the same lie. I had done it so many times before. The words were ready. But this time, something in me refused.
I told her the truth.
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