CHAPTER 2 — The House of Lies
The investigation moved quickly.
Security footage captured the assault.
Medical records documented old injuries.
Neighbors reported hearing arguments for years.
Then came the biggest surprise.
Derek’s mother, Linda, claimed she had never known what was happening.
But investigators uncovered messages proving otherwise.
She had known.
And she had ignored it.
When confronted, Derek exploded.
He blamed Madison for everything.
For the police.
For the charges.
For “destroying the family.”
But nobody believed him anymore.
For the first time, the story was no longer under his control.
Meanwhile, Madison moved into a temporary apartment arranged through a local support program.
It was small.
Quiet.
Safe.
May you like
And every night she slept without fear.
Something she hadn't done in years.
