Chapter Text
Betsy burst into number six, cheeks flushed, Becky right behind her like a shadow that refused to leave. The teen’s chest heaved as she planted herself in front of Lisa and Carla, who had fallen silent the moment the door opened.
Both women looked at her, startled. Betsy’s fists clenched tight at her sides, her jaw set. Anger burned in her eyes mixed with fear as if she’d spent hours preparing for this.
“I get that this is hard…” she began, her voice trembling but determined.
Behind her, Becky’s lips twitched, the satisfaction almost impossible to hide. Everything was going exactly as she’d planned when she told Betsy her story. She’d said just enough to make the girl panic, to make her think there were people after her. She’d painted as if she was fearful and running for her life, scared and desperate, needing their protection.
She knew how to sound believable, just enough fear in her voice, just enough tears to look real. And Betsy had eaten it up, no questions asked. Becky had seen the sympathy in her eyes straight away. The girl was hooked, convinced she was helping save her mum from a looming danger.
It had worked perfectly. Carla might have seen through her, might have sensed the act for what it was, but that didn’t matter. Betsy and Lisa believed her. And as long as they kept believing, Becky still had full control of the situation. Carla was just a small minute obstacle that she will have to overcome one way or another.
Lisa was the same. gullible to a fault and easily pulled into Becky's web of lies. Becky had carried the child, but Betsy had inherited Lisa’s naïve loyalty. Neither of them questioned much when they thought someone they loved was in danger. Becky liked that, it made everything easier and also it gave her hope Lisa really did still love her no matter what she tried to tell herself.
Carla, though; she was different. Cut from a different clothe altogether. Becky had seen that right away, she was sharp, guarded, never one to take anyone’s word at face value. The kind of woman who could read your lies before they left your mouth. Becky didn’t like her, but she respected her intelligence, even as she schemed around her.
She leaned casually against the couch she’d slept on the night before, letting Betsy’s speech unfold. Her plan was already moving. Lisa and the girl were still on her side or at least close enough. She watched as Lisa opened her mouth to plead on her behalf but Carla's sharp unwavering look stopped her on her tracks. But she will wait, soon enough, the two of them would be out of here with her, safe and loyal to only her. Somewhere in Spain, maybe sooner than she’d imagined.
She had underestimated Carla once, but not again the woman was too smart. She could see that Lisa was already cracking, torn between them. Lisa still believed her lies, it showed in her eyes, that blind faith. Becky found it intoxicating. She knew how to use that. And if Betsy kept pushing her mother hard enough, Carla would be cornered. Eventually Lisa would have to choose and Becky was betting she wouldn’t choose fiancée over her own wife and kid.
For now, she just needed to wait. Let the kid fight her battles.
After Betsy finished her emotional plea for Carla and Lisa to believe Becky and keep her safe in their house, Carla had already reached her limit. She’d listened to enough of this made-up drama, the stories, the tears, the guilt trips. She wasn’t going to take the bullshit anymore.
She had put up with too much for far too long; Betsy’s tearful fits, Lisa’s constant excuses, the way she was always the one expected to calm things down. Always expected to go along with everyone's wishes and putting her own peace last. She was done.
“No,” Carla said firmly, her voice steady and controlled. “Becky, we would like you to leave our house now.”
Her tone left no room for argument. Her piercing green eyes stayed locked on Becky, unflinching. “Please.”
Lisa turned to her, a silent plea in her eyes. “Carla…”
Carla didn’t budge. She gave a small shake of her head, jaw tight. “No,” she said again, quieter but with finality. She stepped closer and leaned in, her voice dropping so only Lisa could hear. “She stays, I go.”
Betsy looked between them, panic rising. “Mum?” she asked, her voice breaking slightly.
Lisa hesitated, caught between her daughter’s pleading eyes and Carla’s firm stance. The air in the room felt heavy, thick with tension. Becky stood by the door, silent but watchful, waiting to see who would win.
Lisa took a slow breath, eyes lowering. “Sorry, Bets,” she said softly. “But I think it’s for the best.”
Carla didn’t say anything else. She just gave a small nod, the kind that said everything, relief, exhaustion, and the warning that she meant what she’d said. Becky could see it too; this was one line Carla wasn’t going to let them cross.
Becky was told to leave; Carla’s decision, firm and immediate. Once the door closed, Carla turned and walked upstairs, leaving mother and daughter to face each other in the tense silence that followed.
“Mum, you need to bring Becky back,” Betsy said quickly, her voice rising. “This is our house too.”
Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling the pressure build behind her eyes. “I can’t,” she said quietly.
“Is it because of her?” Betsy shouted, tears streaming down her face as she pointed up the stairs toward where Carla had gone.
Lisa froze, unable to answer. Her chest felt tight. Carla was her fiancée, just days ago, she’d promised they’d move forward as a team, that they’d handle everything together. If she went against Carla now, what would that do to them?
But then there was Betsy. Her daughter. What if Becky really was in danger? What if turning her away meant something terrible happened? Lisa’s mind was spinning, fear clawing at her chest. If that happened, if Becky got hurt, would Betsy ever forgive her? Would their relationship survive that kind of betrayal?
And yet… what if Carla was right all along? What if Becky was manipulating them, using their guilt and compassion to twist everything? What if Lisa threw away her relationship with Carla; her future, only to find out too late that Becky had been lying the whole time?
She felt trapped between them both her daughter’s desperate tears and her fiancée’s quiet ultimatum echoing in her head. If she chose wrong, she risked losing one of them forever.
She had tried to reason with Carla, to make her see that Becky was in danger, but it was clear now that her fiancée was done listening. Deep down, Lisa knew she had taken advantage of Carla’s patience more than once. She’d counted on Carla’s kindness, always assuming she’d forgive her, that she’d stay no matter what. But maybe she’d gone too far this time.
Lisa thought she was doing the right thing protecting Becky and by extension her daughter, helping someone she believed was desperate and afraid. She couldn’t see how that could be wrong.
“Listen, Carla, Betsy…” Lisa began.
Carla turned sharply, raising a hand to stop her. “Don’t,” she said firmly. She brushed her hair back, catching her own reflection in the dresser mirror before speaking again. “If you and your daughter want to be gullible, fine. But you’ll respect my boundaries Lisa. You’ve ignored my feelings through all of this, Lisa, but you will respect my wishes now. And my wishes are, no Becky stays in my house.”
Her tone was calm but absolute.
“Unless, of course,” she added, turning to face Lisa, “you want to buy me out. Then I’ll pack up and leave you, your daughter and wife to it. But as long as I own half this house, Becky does not come to stay. Yes she can visit with Betsy but NOT stay.”
“Carla, I think...”
Carla spun around, eyes cold, voice cutting through the air. “You heard me, Lisa. My decision is final. I don’t believe a single word out of that woman’s mouth. But it seems that you are set on believing her lies. Even after everything she’s done from faking her death and lying to you both for four years. You still want to protect her. That’s your choice.”
She stepped closer, steady but unyielding. “If you’re that desperate to keep her safe, move in with her then. Find somewhere else. But it's not gonna be here missus. I won’t be humiliated again in my own home by your wife or your daughter.”