Beatrice Fairman, a kind and gentle elderly woman, warmly welcomed her only son, Matthew, and his new wife, Rita, into her spacious, lovingly maintained home. It was a joyful arrangement at first—Beatrice was happy to have company, and she helped around the house with cooking and small chores. Rita, in turn, appeared to be a considerate and affectionate daughter-in-law. For a while, the household was filled with laughter, warmth, and a sense of harmony. But the dynamic shifted dramatically when Matthew was sent overseas on a six-month work assignment. With him gone,
the once-peaceful home began to feel colder. Left alone with Beatrice, Rita’s demeanor changed. She became moody, short-tempered, and increasingly resentful. The friendly conversations turned to silence and snide remarks. As Matthew’s calls grew less frequent and eventually stopped altogether, Beatrice’s concern deepened, her heart heavy with worry. News came weeks later that Matthew had disappeared after departing from London. No one knew what had happened to him. Rita, instead of uniting in grief,