Chapter 2

"Honey, wake up. It's time to head to the airport," Shelly's gentle voice whispered in my ear.

Her hand brushed against my cheek, coaxing me out of sleep.

I jolted awake.

The first thing I saw was the familiar bedroom ceiling. The air hung heavy with the sweet scent of lilies, my favorite.

I slowly turned my head.

Shelly was smiling at me, wearing that white dress I loved so much.

Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, her eyes clear and deep, full of gentle concern. "Did you have a nightmare? You're soaked with sweat."

She reached out with a towel, about to wipe the sweat from my face.

I flinched as if stung by a scorpion, scrambling backward before I could think.

Shelly was stunned by my sudden reaction. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I stared at her, unable to look away.

The face I'd cherished for five years now seemed scarier to me than any monster I'd ever imagined.

I lifted my hand and looked at my palm.

There were no wounds, no blood.

I touched my stomach. It was flat and warm, and that excruciating pain was gone.

Was I sent back to the past?

I was back on the day of that business trip—the turning point of my previous life.

Shelly looked at me, clearly alarmed and at a loss at the sight of my ashen face and terrifying eyes. "Eric, please don't scare me like this. Are you feeling alright?"

That look of concern in her eyes made my stomach twist.

In my previous life, I was fooled by her sweet, innocent act for five whole years.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the murderous rage churning inside.

No, I couldn't act now. If I made a move too soon, she would get suspicious, and everything would stay the same.

I was not here for some clean break. That was way too easy.

I wanted to see Shelly's reputation destroyed, her life in shambles.

I wanted to make that bastard Hank pay.

I wanted Amy and Peter to watch with their own eyes as their precious reputation was dragged through the mud.

I wanted to set everything right.

I managed a strained smile, my voice rough. "It's nothing, just a nightmare. It freaked me out a little."

Shelly breathed a sigh of relief and teasingly rolled her eyes at me. "Seriously, you're a grown man and still scared by nightmares? Get up already. I packed your bags for you. Don't miss your flight."

As she spoke, she handed me my coat, thoughtful as always.

I watched her moving around the room, my eyes gradually turning icy.

Packing my bags, huh? Worried I wouldn't leave fast enough and ruin her secret date with that cheating bastard?

I took the coat and slipped it on, my fingers feeling something hard inside the pocket.

It was my car keys.

Something clicked in my mind. "Shelly, I suddenly remembered. I left an important file at the office. I need to go grab it. You stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon."

A flicker of panic flashed across Shelly's face, but she quickly masked it with her usual calm. "Is it really that urgent? Can't you ask a colleague to grab it for you?"

"No, that file is way too important. Only I can handle it." My tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Okay then. Just come back soon."

I nodded, grabbed my car keys, and headed out the door.

The moment the door clicked shut behind me, the mask I'd worn vanished, leaving only a chilling, icy hatred in its place.

This time around, I had handpicked a little surprise for Shelly and Hank. Hope they savor every second of it.

*****

I didn't go to the office.

Once I pulled out of the neighborhood, I changed course and headed straight for the electronics market.

Half an hour later, I slid back into my car, carrying a nondescript black plastic bag.

Inside were a few top-of-the-line pinhole cameras with remote monitoring and audio recording. Plus, a fresh SIM card.

In my previous life, I was an absolute fool.

Shelly said she liked peace, didn't want any strangers in the house, so I refused when my parents suggested hiring a nanny.

She said she didn't like being restricted, so I let her do whatever she wanted, gave her all the space she needed.

I thought that was what love meant, that was what respect was all about.

Looking back now, all I really did was hand Shelly and Hank the perfect cover for their dirty little affair.

This time, I was going to see for myself how they twisted the freedom I gave them and used it for their own selfish desires.