Chapter 2
At three in the morning, my phone lit up again.
It was from Sophie Young.
There was a video file.
And a compressed folder.
She added a message: [The compressed folder has a surprise, take your time with it. I'm heading to bed, but tomorrow, watch me take down that scumbag and his side chick.]
I opened the video.
No audio, just visuals.
Rain was coming down in sheets.
Adam pulled over, parked his car, and dashed into a 24-hour pharmacy.
A few minutes later, he came out with a bag of medicine and ran up to the entrance of her building.
Vanessa was standing by the entrance, shivering in her thin pajamas.
Adam tossed his umbrella aside, hurried over, and wrapped his suit jacket around her.
He gathered her into his arms, lowered his head, and pressed his forehead against hers, as if checking if she had a fever.
His lips were moving, like he was whispering something to soothe her.
Vanessa was crying in his arms.
Adam gently patted her back, his eyes overflowing with tenderness and worry, so much that it felt like it could pour right out of the screen.
I'd never seen that look in his eyes before. Not even at his most devoted to me.
He helped her take the medicine with water from the thermos he'd brought along.
Then, he held her close, just standing there with her in that tiny hallway for what felt like forever.
Like a silent guardian angel.
The video ended.
I saved it without a flicker of emotion.
Then I opened the zip file and unzipped it.
Inside were dozens of screenshots.
Every single one was a chat between Adam and Vanessa.
They began a month ago.
Vanessa wrote: [Adam, I have a fever. I feel terrible.]
Adam replied: [Be good and drink plenty of fluids.]
Vanessa wrote: [I'm all alone at home, and I'm scared.]
Adam replied: [I'll come over tomorrow.]
That was how their conversation started.
Then, they started messaging more and more often.
Vanessa wrote: [Adam, you're getting married. Hope you find happiness.]
Adam replied: [Don't say that, Vanessa.]
Vanessa wrote: [I just... it's hard to let go.]
Adam replied: [Me too.]
And then, just yesterday.
Right before my wedding.
Vanessa wrote: [Adam, can I come to your wedding tomorrow? I want to see you happy for myself.]
Adam replied: [Don't come. Claire won't like it.]
Vanessa wrote: [I know... I just want to see you one more time.]
Adam replied: [Vanessa, don't do this. We're over.]
Vanessa wrote: [I know. I just can't help myself.]
The last message was sent tonight, after Adam stepped out.
Adam wrote: [I'm almost there.]
Time: 10:07 PM.
That was the exact moment he left.
Turns out, that whole "I'm going out for cigarettes" line was meant for her.
I saved every single screenshot, one by one.
By the time I finished, the sky was just starting to lighten.
The rain had finally stopped.
I walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.
My face was pale, and my eyes were bloodshot.
But I put on a flawless, meticulously applied face of makeup.
It hid every trace of exhaustion.
Then, I took out the most expensive red dress from my closet, the one I'd bought for the family brunch with my parents after the wedding.
I slipped it on.
I sent a WhatsApp message to my college friend Ms. Jones, who works at the county clerk's office.
I wrote: [Ms. Jones, are you free tomorrow? Can you pull some strings and help me fast-track a divorce?]
She replied almost instantly.
Ms. Jones replied: [!!!]
Ms. Jones wrote: [Claire, are you serious? You just got married today, didn't you?]
I replied.
I wrote: [That's why I want to get divorced tomorrow.]
I added: [Make it quick and clean.]