My Sil Kept “Joking” About My Miscarriage, Until My Husband Heard Her.

Asking specific questions about dates and times. She wanted to know exactly when I’d last seen Rachel.

Exactly what the detective had said on the phone. Exactly what Kevin’s mom had told me about the screenshots.

When I got to the part about the Pennyroyal, Evelyn’s pen paused on the paper. She asked, “You’ve never purchased this herb?” “Never researched it?”

I shook my head hard. I said, “I don’t even know what it is.”

“The detective said it causes miscarriages.” “But I’ve never heard of it before yesterday.”

Evelyn made a note. She said, “Pennyroyal is extremely dangerous for pregnant women.” “It can cause serious complications, even death if Rachel consumed it.”

“That’s very concerning, but here’s my question.” “How would you have obtained it if you never researched it?”

“How would you know to use it?” I hadn’t thought of that.

If I’d never heard of Pennyroyal before yesterday, how would I have known to buy it and bring it to Rachel? The logic didn’t make sense.

Evelyn saw the realization on my face and nodded. She said, “That’s the first hole in their case.”

“The second is the witness who supposedly saw you at Rachel’s house.” “Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.”

“Especially if the witness didn’t know you well enough to be completely certain of identification.” She flipped to a new page on her legal pad.

She said, “The forum posts are more concerning because they show your username and email.” “We need to determine if your account was compromised.”

“If someone gained access to your login information.” “That’s where digital forensics comes in.”

Marina leaned forward. She asked, “Can you help her?” “Can you prove she didn’t do this?”

Evelyn’s expression was serious but not unkind. She said, “I can build a defense.” “I can investigate the evidence and find the holes in the prosecution’s case.”

“But I need you to be completely honest with me about everything.” “If there’s anything you’re not telling me, anything at all, I need to know now.”

I met her eyes. I said, “I didn’t do this.” “I haven’t been near Rachel in six months.”

“I didn’t make those forum posts.” “I didn’t bring her any tea.”

“Someone is setting me up.” “And I think it’s Rachel herself.”

Evelyn studied my face for a long moment, then nodded. She said, “All right, here’s what we’re going to do.”

Chapter 5: Digital Forensics and the Library Surveillance

Evelyn moved fast. Within an hour of our meeting, she’d already filed paperwork with the police department.

Blocking any interrogation attempts until she was present as my legal representative. She explained that Detective Jason couldn’t force me to come to the station.

That I had the right to remain silent. And the right to have an attorney present for any discussions.

She requested copies of all evidence the police had collected. Including the screenshots of the forum posts.

The lab results from the tea and any statements from witnesses. She wanted my phone records.

My credit card statements and security camera footage from my neighborhood. To build a timeline of my whereabouts.

Evelyn said, “We’re going to prove you weren’t at Rachel’s house.” “We’re going to show that your account was compromised.”

“And those forum posts didn’t come from your devices.” “And we’re going to find out where that tea really came from.”

Watching her work made me feel like maybe I could survive this. She was calm and professional.

Treating my nightmare like a puzzle she knew how to solve. She handed me her business card.

With her cell phone number written on the back. She said, “Call me immediately if anyone tries to contact you about this case.”

“Police, prosecutors, Rachel’s family, anyone.” “Don’t speak to them without me present.”

I took the card with shaking hands. I asked, “What if Kevin calls?” “What if he wants to talk?”

Evelyn’s expression softened slightly. She said, “That’s your decision, he’s your husband.” “But I’d recommend keeping any conversations brief and not discussing the details of the case.”

“Anything you say to him could potentially be used as evidence.” The thought that my own husband might use my words against me made my stomach turn.

Marina drove me back to her apartment. Both of us quiet in the car.

My phone had been buzzing all morning with calls from numbers I didn’t recognize. Probably reporters or Kevin’s family members.

I ignored all of them. Back at the apartment, I tried to eat the sandwich Marina made me.

But could only manage a few bites. My daughter was moving constantly now.

Like she could feel my stress. I rubbed my belly and whispered that everything would be okay.

Even though I wasn’t sure I believed it. Kevin showed up at Marina’s apartment that evening.

I heard his voice in the hallway, demanding to talk to me. Marina opened the door but didn’t let him in.

She said, “She has a lawyer now.” “You should talk to the lawyer.”

Kevin’s voice rose. He said, “She’s my wife.” “I have a right to talk to my own wife.”

Through the doorway, I could see his face. He looked terrible, like he hadn’t slept either.

Part of me wanted to run to him. To make him understand I didn’t do this.

But the bigger part remembered his voice on the phone yesterday. Cold and accusing.

I stood up and walked to the door. Marina stepped aside reluctantly.

Kevin’s eyes found mine. He asked, “Is it true?” “Did you hire Evelyn Ryder?”

I nodded. I said, “I need a lawyer.” “The police think I killed Rachel’s baby.”

His face twisted. He asked, “Did you?”

The question hit me like a physical blow. After three years of marriage, after everything we’d been through together.

He actually needed to ask. I said, “No.” “I’ve never been to Rachel’s house.”

“I didn’t make those forum posts.” “I didn’t bring her any tea.”

“Someone set me up.” “And I think it was Rachel herself.”

Kevin shook his head. He said, “Rachel just lost her baby.” “She’s devastated.”

“Why would she frame you?” I felt tears burning behind my eyes, but refused to let them fall.

I said, “Because she’s been trying to hurt me for over a year.” “Because she resented that you chose me.”

“Because she wanted me to lose my baby too.” “And when that didn’t happen, she found another way to destroy me.”

He looked at me like I was a stranger. He said, “You sound paranoid.” “You sound exactly like Rachel said you would.”

That’s when I knew. Rachel had been preparing him for this, probably for weeks.