Chapter 9 - THE TRAP IS LAID
Mrs. Lisa began her campaign in earnest. She timed her cruelty perfectly — always when Khai was away, always leaving no witnesses, always speaking softly enough that no one else heard. She hid Linda’s things. She spoiled the food. She whispered curses just out of earshot, making Linda doubt her own sanity.
She also wrote letters. Carefully crafted, signed in Linda’s name — letters insulting neighbors, spreading rumors, offending important families. She left them where they would be found. And when people came complaining to Khai, she stood quietly in the corner, looking sad and sympathetic, pretending to defend Linda while planting deeper suspicion.
"She is young," Mrs. Lisa would say gently. "Perhaps she does not realize how her words sound. She is under so much stress. Poor girl."
Khai faced the complaints with patience. But doubt began to creep in. Why did everyone speak against his wife? Why did things keep disappearing? Why did Linda grow quieter, paler, more afraid every day? He loved her. He trusted her. Yet the evidence piled up — carefully placed by the woman he had mistakenly trusted.
One afternoon, Khai returned home early and found Linda crying in the garden. Mai lay nearby, wailing.
"What happened?" Khai asked, rushing forward.
Linda wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself. "Nothing. She... she spoke to Mai. She told her that her mother was wicked. That Mai should stay away from me. When I asked her to stop... she screamed and said I had attacked her. She said she would tell the whole village that I beat her."
Khai looked toward the cottage. Mrs. Lisa stood in the doorway, watching them with a look of quiet triumph.
For the first time, Khai felt uncertain. His mother appeared calm, composed, even gentle. His wife was emotional, tearful, shaking with rage. It looked — to an outside observer — exactly as though Linda were the aggressor.
Khai took Linda’s hands. "I believe you," he said firmly. "But we need proof. We need evidence. Until then... do not speak to her. Do not be alone with her. Stay inside our room. Lock the door. And wait. I will find the truth."
He walked to his mother’s cottage. He stood before her, his face unreadable.
"Did you speak to my wife and child that way?" he asked.
Mrs. Lisa lowered her head. "I only told the child to be respectful. She grew angry. She threatened me. Khai... she is becoming dangerous. Perhaps... you should send her away for a while. Until she recovers."
Khai stared at her. He saw the way she avoided his eyes. He heard the practiced sorrow in her voice. And suddenly — he understood.
She was not asking for peace. She was asking for victory.
He turned without another word and walked back to his family. He realized then: she would not stop. She would lie. She would plot. She would wear them down until one of them cracked. And then she would stand before the world weeping and saying: See? I told you. They are wicked.
May you like
Khai entered the bedroom and locked the door behind him. He sat beside Linda and took her into his arms.
"We cannot fight her with words," he said quietly. "She twists every single one. So we will do differently. Tomorrow... I will install a camera inside the main room. And then... finally... she will condemn herself."
