{"id":10123,"date":"2026-06-25T09:38:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/?p=10123"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:38:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:38:22","slug":"i-returned-home-after-months-of-service-hoping-to-embrace-my-wife-but-she-shrank-from-me-as-if-i-were-the-enemy-that-night-i-lifted-the-covers-believing-i-would-uncover-a-betrayal-and-fo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/?p=10123","title":{"rendered":"I returned home after months of service, hoping to embrace my wife, but she shrank from me as if I were the enemy. That night, I lifted the covers, believing I would uncover a betrayal\u2026 and found her body covered in bruises."},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 1: The Return of a Ghost<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf you ever touch her without permission again, I swear to God you\u2019ll regret coming back alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0spat those words out right in the middle of my own kitchen, wearing my military field jacket and my favorite watch on his wrist\u2014as if the house, my wife, and even my name already belonged to him.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Captain\u00a0Ethan Rivers<\/b>\u00a0had just returned home to Boston after a brutal six-month deployment overseas. He had a commendation medal packed securely in his duffel bag, airport dust covering his combat boots, and a single, burning image locked in his chest:\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0sprinting toward him, throwing her arms around his neck, weeping with sheer joy.<\/p>\n

But\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0didn\u2019t run.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

She was standing frozen by the kitchen sink, swimming in an oversized sweater, her hair pinned up carelessly, her hands entirely hidden inside her long sleeves. When\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0walked through the door, she raised her head slowly, looking at him as if she were tracking the footsteps of an invading enemy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ethan.<\/i><\/p>\n

Not \u201cmy love.\u201d Not \u201cI missed you so much.\u201d Not \u201cthank God you\u2019re back.\u201d<\/p>\n

His mother,\u00a0Victoria<\/b>, materialized right behind her, sporting a string of new pearls around her neck and a picture-perfect smile reserved for house guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t push her, honey,\u201d\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0sighed, waving a dismissive hand. \u201cBrooke<\/b>\u00a0has been incredibly fragile since you deployed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0leaned back against the marble kitchen island and let out a soft chuckle. \u201cIsolation does strange things to women, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0dropped her eyes to the floor.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0tried to take a step toward her, but she instinctively retreated half a step. The movement was minuscule. Almost invisible. But\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0had spent years in combat learning to read fear in fractions of an inch, where a tiny movement could save a life.<\/p>\n

That night, in the master bedroom that used to smell of fresh coffee, lavender, and whispered promises,\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0lay on the absolute edge of the mattress. She pulled the heavy comforter all the way up to her chin. Her entire body was a rigid, trembling line.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0reached across the sheets to gently touch her fingers.<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0flinched away with such violent panic that she nearly fell completely off the bed.<\/p>\n

Something shattered inside\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2018s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there someone else?\u201d he asked in a low whisper, hating himself the exact second the words left his mouth.<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0tightly squeezed her eyes shut. Her lips trembled, but she chose silence.<\/p>\n

The next morning,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0found\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s old cell phone hidden deep inside a box of prescription sedatives in the guest bathroom. The battery barely flickered to life. Inside, there were half-deleted text messages, photographs of scanned legal documents, appointments with a notary public downtown, and massive wire transfers to an unknown entity:\u00a0Mercury Capital Holdings<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u2019s name was listed explicitly as the managing director.<\/p>\n

Our family home. The accounts of the construction firm\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0had built from scratch. The parcels of land he had purchased before joining the Army. Everything had been systematically transferred.<\/p>\n

And on every single document sat\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n

Beside it sat\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n

But\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0hadn\u2019t signed a single thing.<\/p>\n

That afternoon, while\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0was busy organizing an elegant dinner party with \u201cimportant corporate partners\u201d to celebrate the company\u2019s new phase,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0watched his wife from the patio doors.\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0was arranging flowers, her hands shaking violently.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0leaned over and whispered something in her ear, and her face went entirely white.<\/p>\n

Late that evening,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0quietly locked the bedroom door from the inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrooke<\/b>,\u201d he whispered, his voice steady. \u201cLook at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

So, he did something that tore at his soul worse than any wound he had ever received in service. He carefully lifted the heavy comforter, looking for the betrayal he had been terrified to find.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t find infidelity.<\/p>\n

He found deep purple bruises painting\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s ribs, dark finger-shaped grip marks wrapping her upper arms, healing lacerations across her shoulder blades, and a yellowing shadow near her collarbone.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0stopped breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho did this to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0covered her mouth, her body racking with silent, suffocating sobs. \u201cYour mother and\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u2026 they forced me to sign everything. They told me if I didn\u2019t, or if I tried to contact you, they\u2019d use their connections to court-martial you. They said they\u2019d destroy your life before you ever made it off the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the backyard garden below, the melodic, pristine laugh of\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0drifted up as she toasted with champagne.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0carefully pulled the blanket back over\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2018s shoulders, his touch lighter than a feather\u2014a silent, sacred promise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t just rob my wife,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said, his voice dropping to absolute absolute zero. \u201cThey just declared war on the wrong man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Part 2: The Trap is Set<\/h2>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0didn\u2019t storm downstairs to break\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u2019s jaw, though every combat-trained muscle in his body was screaming at him to do it. He sat quietly on the edge of the bed beside\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0until her breathing normalized. He took her hand gently, ensuring he didn\u2019t apply a single ounce of pressure.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cDo you trust me?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0wept silently, nodding against her pillow. \u201cI tried to call you so many times,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI know, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother kept telling me that if I interrupted your deployment, you\u2019d face disciplinary action.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0said you\u2019d never believe me anyway. He said everyone would just view me as a bitter, unstable wife trying to hoard your assets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0swallowed the toxic lump of rage in his throat.<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0had always been a master of public elegance and private venom. For years,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0had foolishly misread her coldness as nothing more than strong character.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>, on the other hand, had never hidden his deep-seated envy. He had simply waited for the perfect window of vulnerability.<\/p>\n

At dawn,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0made three phone calls.<\/p>\n

The first was to Colonel\u00a0Vance<\/b>, the only man who knew that\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s last deployment hadn\u2019t been a routine overseas command, but rather tactical support for an international asset-seizure and money-laundering task force.<\/p>\n

The second was to\u00a0Harper Sterling<\/b>, a ruthless federal prosecutor specializing in white-collar crime and financial fraud\u2014a woman who owed\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0her life after an extraction operation near the border years ago.<\/p>\n

The third was to a forensic medical examiner, arranged to meticulously document every single mark on\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s body before they could fade.<\/p>\n

At 8:00 AM,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0walked down to the dining room for breakfast.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0sat at the head of the long mahogany table as if the estate had always legally belonged to her.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0was aggressively shuffling through corporate ledgers, effortlessly spinning the heavy gold fountain pen\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s father had gifted him right before he passed away.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrooke<\/b>\u00a0looks completely unstable lately,\u201d\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0sighed, elegantly pouring coffee from a silver pot. \u201cIt might be best to have her committed to an inpatient facility for a few weeks so she can get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0offered a smug smirk. \u201cOr you could just file for divorce, man. I know some incredibly discreet attorneys who can handle the paperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0quietly slipped into the chair beside\u00a0Ethan<\/b>. Underneath the heavy tablecloth,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0held her hand firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow incredibly thoughtful of you both,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0replied smoothly.<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0leaned across the table, his eyes narrowing with arrogant satisfaction. \u201cWhile you were out playing GI Joe,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>, we kept this construction firm alive. Mom needed security.\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0needed clear direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDirection?\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0asked, his voice entirely flat.<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0set her porcelain cup down with a soft click. \u201cLet\u2019s not be dramatic, son. She signed those asset transfers completely voluntarily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what she told you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0confidently tapped his finger against the stack of notary documents. \u201cCareful, brother. You\u2019ve been out of the country too long. Legally speaking, everything is locked down tightly. Everything is in perfect order.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was their very first mistake: believing a forged notary stamp could forever suffocate a woman\u2019s fear.<\/p>\n

Their second mistake was organizing a grand corporate dinner party for Friday night to officially \u201cpresent the structural reorganization\u201d of the firm. They had invited major stakeholders, cousins, high-profile attorneys, real estate developers from the district, and old friends of\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0wanted a standing ovation.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0wanted public validation.\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0was more than happy to give them an audience.<\/p>\n

He personally confirmed the catering list. He ordered the high-end wine. He ensured the estate gardens were immaculately lit. He even allowed\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0to move his things into\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s private home study, letting him show it off to guests as \u201cthe new Director\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re taking this a lot better than I thought you would,\u201d\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0mocked later that afternoon, pouring himself a glass of\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s top-shelf whiskey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned a long time ago that patience saves lives in places where anger gets you killed,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said, never breaking eye contact.<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0just laughed, entirely missing the warning.<\/p>\n

Friday morning,\u00a0Harper Sterling<\/b>\u00a0called\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s private line.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe forensic document examiners confirmed the signatures are forged,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>. It\u2019s more than enough to freeze every single asset transfer immediately. The medical examiner\u2019s report cleanly establishes physical coercion and battery. But there\u2019s a bigger fish on the hook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0looked out the window.\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0was currently forcing\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0into a designer dress, loudly snapping that \u201ca weak, fragile woman ruins the family photographs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrevor<\/b>\u2019s shell company,\u00a0Mercury Holdings<\/i>, is directly tied to illicit offshore accounts in Panama. He\u2019s been using your corporate properties as collateral for fraudulent loans to hide his own gambling debts. This didn\u2019t start six months ago,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>. He\u2019s been bleeding your company dry for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0closed his eyes, a profound calmness settling over his mind. \u201cCan you be at the house tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be there with a federal warrant and a team of marshals,\u201d\u00a0Harper<\/b>\u00a0confirmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you enter through the front doors,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said. \u201cMake sure it\u2019s in front of everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a brief pause on the line. \u201cAre you sure about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Out in the hallway,\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0caught sight of\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0standing in front of the mirror, pinned-up medals glinting on his chest as he mocked a military salute and laughed to himself.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u201cThey asked for a public performance,\u00a0Harper<\/b>,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0murmured, his eyes narrowing. \u201cLet\u2019s make sure they get a full house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

That evening, as the first luxury cars began rolling up the driveway and\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0watched the wealthy guests flood the ballroom, she looked over at\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0standing proudly beneath the grand portrait of\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

She finally understood. This dinner party wasn\u2019t a celebration.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It was an execution. But the gallows weren\u2019t built for her.<\/p>\n

Part 3: The Restructuring<\/h2>\n

By 8:30 PM, the grand ballroom of the Rivers estate was filled with the clinking of crystal glasses and the smooth ambient hum of a live string quartet.\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0drifted through the crowd like a queen mother, accepting compliments on the flower arrangements, while\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0stood near the podium, loudly holding court with the firm\u2019s primary investors.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0stood near the back of the room, his dress uniform immaculate, his posture perfectly straight.\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0stood closely beside him, her long sleeves covering her wrists, but her chin was held higher than it had been in months.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please,\u201d\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u2019s voice boomed over the microphone as he tapped a gold pen against a champagne flute.<\/p>\n

The room fell quiet. The investors turned around, smiles plastered across their faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight is a monumental night for Rivers Construction,\u201d\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0announced, casting a smug look toward\u00a0Ethan<\/b>. \u201cAs many of you know, my brother\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0has spent the last half-year serving our country overseas. And while we are deeply grateful for his service, a global firm requires constant, daily domestic leadership. Tonight, we are officially announcing a complete corporate restructuring.\u00a0Mercury Capital Holdings<\/i>\u00a0has acquired a controlling interest in the firm, and I will be stepping in as the permanent Chief Executive Officer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0led a polite, enthusiastic round of applause.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0beamed, raising his glass. \u201cI\u2019d like to invite\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0up here to say a few words as he transitions to his new role as a passive shareholder.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd turned to look at\u00a0Ethan<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0walked slowly and deliberately down the center aisle of the ballroom, stepping onto the elevated stage. He didn\u2019t look angry; he looked exactly like a captain commanding a battlefield. He adjusted the microphone.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cThank you,\u00a0Trevor<\/b>,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said, his voice carrying an unmistakable weight that immediately silenced the remaining chatter. \u201cMy brother is right about one thing: a global firm does require leadership. But it also requires total financial integrity. Which is why I\u2019ve invited a few extra business partners to tonight\u2019s presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The grand double doors of the ballroom suddenly swung open.<\/p>\n

Harper Sterling<\/b>\u00a0walked into the room, flanked by four federal marshals in tactical gear and two local police detectives. The music stopped instantly. The investors gasped, backing away from the entrance as the marshals moved directly toward the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the meaning of this?!\u201d\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0shrieked, her wine glass slipping from her hand and shattering on the floor. \u201cEthan<\/b>, remove these people immediately!\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0stepped in front of the podium, his face turning a sickly shade of pale. \u201cEthan<\/b>, what the hell are you doing? You\u2019re ruining the firm\u2019s reputation!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrevor Vance<\/b>,\u201d\u00a0Harper Sterling<\/b>\u00a0announced, stepping up to the stage and presenting a stamped legal folder. \u201cI am the federal prosecutor for the District of Massachusetts. I am serving you with a federal warrant for grand larceny, wire fraud, identity theft, and corporate embezzlement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 4: The Final Verdict<\/h2>\n

\u201cThis is an absolute joke!\u201d\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0yelled, his voice cracking as he backed toward the wall. \u201cThe paperwork is fully notarized! My sister-in-law signed those assets over to\u00a0Mercury Holdings<\/i>\u00a0legally!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0stepped aside, gesturing toward the edge of the stage. Per\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2018s nod, the room\u2019s projection screen descended from the ceiling, instantly flickering to life.<\/p>\n

But it didn\u2019t display the new corporate structure. It displayed a high-definition medical forensic file\u2014photographs of the dark, deep finger-shaped bruises wrapped tightly around\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s arms, the lacerations across her back, and the trauma marks on her ribs.<\/p>\n

The entire ballroom let out a collective, horrified gasp. Several investors turned their heads away in pure disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose marks were documented by a federal medical examiner on Tuesday morning,\u00a0Trevor<\/b>,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, icy whisper that echoed through the silent room. \u201cThe forensic team also recovered the digital access logs from your laptop. We have the IP addresses tracking the exact minutes you forged my signature on the transfer deeds while I was deployed in a combat zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/b>\u00a0stumbled backward into a catering table, her hands flying to her pearls. \u201cEthan<\/b>\u2026 please, think of the family name! This is an internal family matter!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn internal matter?\u201d\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u2019s voice rang out clearly from the center of the ballroom floor. She stepped forward, pulling back her sleeves to expose the healing marks on her wrists for everyone to see. \u201cYou held me down by my hair,\u00a0Victoria<\/b>, while your son threatened to have\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0court-martialed if I didn\u2019t sign those papers. You starved me in my own home. You didn\u2019t protect the family name\u2014you dragged it into the mud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0looked around the room frantically, but every single investor and family friend looked at him with utter revulsion. His defense attorneys, whom he had proudly invited to celebrate his victory, quietly stepped back into the crowd, entirely abandoning him.<\/p>\n

The marshals moved in fast.\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0was forcefully thrown against the mahogany paneling, his arms pulled behind his back as the steel handcuffs clicked into place.<\/p>\n

\u201cEthan<\/b>, please!\u201d\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0screamed, sobbing as his face was pressed against the wood. \u201cI owe people money! They were going to ruin me! I had no choice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had a choice,\u201d\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0said coldly, stepping down from the stage to stand beside\u00a0Brooke<\/b>. \u201cAnd you made it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The police dragged\u00a0Trevor<\/b>\u00a0out of the estate in front of the entire assembly, followed closely by\u00a0Victoria<\/b>, who was escorted out in handcuffs for corporate conspiracy and domestic battery.<\/p>\n

The legal fallout completely dismantled\u00a0Mercury Holdings<\/i>\u00a0within a week. Because the assets had been obtained through violent coercion and felony forgery, the federal court immediately voided every single transfer document, returning full ownership of the construction firm, the bank accounts, and the estate strictly to\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Brooke<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Six months later, the spring sun was shining brightly over the estate garden.<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0sat on the wooden bench, wearing a simple linen shirt, his military uniform neatly retired in the closet.\u00a0Brooke<\/b>\u00a0sat beside him, her skin completely healed, her eyes bright, holding a warm cup of lavender tea. The house no longer smelled of fear; it smelled of fresh coffee and peace.<\/p>\n

Trevor<\/b>\u00a0was ultimately sentenced to twelve years in a federal penitentiary for grand larceny and wire fraud, with no possibility of parole.\u00a0Victoria<\/b>\u00a0was stripped of her assets and sentenced to four years for her role in the battery and extortion of her daughter-in-law.<\/p>\n

Brooke<\/b>\u00a0leaned her head gently against\u00a0Ethan<\/b>\u2019s shoulder, looking out at the blooming dogwood trees. \u201cAre you glad you\u2019re finally home, Ethan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan<\/b>\u00a0wrapped his arm securely around her, pulling her close, feeling the steady, safe rhythm of her breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d he whispered, kissing the top of her head. \u201cThe war is finally over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 1: The Return of a Ghost \u201cIf you ever touch her without permission again, I swear to God you\u2019ll regret coming back alive.\u201d Trevor\u00a0spat those words out right in … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10123"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10125,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10123\/revisions\/10125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reallifedaily.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}