My husband was at work when my father-in-law pulled me aside and told me he needed to show me something in the bathroom. When I entered, tile and cement were scattered on the floor and a plastic bag lay among the debris.
We were alone at home. My husband had left for work and I was doing chores when a rough hand settled on my shoulder.
“Where’s your husband?” a hoarse voice asked from behind me.
I spun around to find my father-in-law standing there, pale and trembling.
“At work,” I answered, bewildered. “What’s wrong?”
“Go to the bathroom. I found something… I think it belongs to your husband.”
My stomach dropped.
“He’s… cheating on me?” I murmured.
“No,” he said. “But you should see for yourself.”
I walked into the bathroom and stopped d3ad. The wall by the sink had been smashed; chunks of tile and plaster lay everywhere, and a clear plastic bag rested in the dust.
He wordlessly indicated the bag. I crouched, picked it up with shaking fingers, and unsealed it.
Inside was…
My hands trembled as I opened the bag. It wasn’t jewelry or cash. It was heavy iron. A weapon.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. “Is this… your son’s?”
My father-in-law nodded, worry etched into his face.
“Yes. And that’s not the worst of it.”
“Explain,” I demanded. “Why would he have a gun? What does this mean?”
He drew a long breath and sat on the tub’s rim as if he’d run out of strength.
“He’s in deep debt. I’ve suspected for a while he’s been hiding trouble from us. Then, a month ago, a stranger came to me and said plainly, ‘If your son doesn’t complete the task, your whole family will pay. His wife, his parents, his children — none of you will have peace.’”
A cold dread washed over me.
“What task?” I whispered.
He dropped his gaze.
“He was forced to do a job for these people. It’s so serious I can’t even say the details. If he refuses, they’ll ruin everything he cares about.”
I sat down on the floor, stunned.
“How did they even know it was hidden in the wall?” I asked.
My father-in-law met my eyes, exhausted.
“Because they told me. They knew everything — where he keeps weapons, where he hides money, even when you go shopping. They showed me deliberately so I would understand: nothing is hidden from them.”
Silence spread through the room. I felt everything collapsing.
“So what do we do?” I asked, barely moving my lips.
He clenched his hands.
“We have two choices. Stay silent and let him finish it… or try to find a way out ourselves. But remember: if they suspect anything, it’ll be the end of all of us.”
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