Chapter 2
After Chloe left, I turned on the television.
A pre-show for a holiday football game was playing.
The cheerful host smiled and talked about how gathering with loved ones was the most cherished tradition for the families in the country.
I cranked the volume all the way up.
A muffled thud soon emanated from the freezer.
It sounded as though someone had slammed a hand against the inside of the door.
Then, Andrew's heavily suppressed voice filtered through the seal. "Do not move. Hold on a little longer."
I stood frozen in place, holding the glass with the lipstick stain.
The entire situation felt utterly ridiculous.
Three months ago, Andrew had dragged me here to look at this house.
He told me this was where we would raise our children in the future.
He said the living room had beautiful natural light because he knew I loved soaking up the sun.
He pointed out the river view from the master bedroom, promising we would sit on the balcony drinking coffee when we grew old.
I paid the down payment.
And I covered the renovation costs.
I handpicked every single piece of furniture and every appliance.
The property deed bore my name alone.
Andrew had wrapped his arms around me back then, claiming he did not mind at all, "Emily, the name on the deed does not matter because I belong entirely to you for the rest of my life."
Given the situation now, of course he did not mind.
He had long since treated this place as his personal love nest.
I picked up the remote and muted the television.
The room fell into total silence, making the sound of breathing from inside the freezer distinct.
Summer Taylor's voice broke through, thick with tears. "Andrew, I really do not feel well. Is the baby going to be okay?"
Andrew remained silent for a moment, replying, "The baby will be fine. The doctor said it is not that fragile."
"But it is freezing in here," she said.
"Emily's still here," Andrew said.
"Why did she come back all of a sudden?" she asked.
"She is a complete workaholic, so who knows what kind of crazy phase she is in?" he hissed, his voice dripping with irritation. "I never should have brought you here."
Summer sniffled. "Didn't you say she wouldn't be back today?"
"So what if she is back? It is not like she can actually do anything to me," Andrew argued.
I set the remote down and walked straight to the freezer.
All sounds from inside ceased immediately.
My hand rested on the handle.
The metal was bone-chillingly cold.
The comments flew faster than before.
[She's about to open it!]
[Summer is experiencing severe stomach pains.]
[Andrew better hold that door shut.]
[Why is Emily so ruthless when she clearly knows they are inside?]
I yanked the handle.
The lid did not budge.
It had been locked from the inside.
I let out a deliberate sigh. "Why is this broken?"
With that, I turned around to grab my phone.
A very faint gasp echoed from inside the appliance.
I dialed Andrew's number.
A second later, a vibration hummed from within the freezer.
In the quiet living room, the sound was painfully obvious.
I stared at the metal box and asked in a soft voice, "Andrew, why is your phone in my house?"
The call was disconnected.
Moments later, I received a text from him.
Andrew: [Hey babe, I am entertaining clients, and my phone lost its signal for a second. Did you make it home?]
I stared at the pet name.
Sliding my finger across the screen, I replied with four simple words: [I am at home.]
Another short vibration erupted from the freezer.
Andrew had clearly read the message.
Even separated by a metal door, I could picture his face turning ashen.
I sent another text: [I also saw your shoes.]
This time, the box fell completely dead silent.
Thirty seconds later, Andrew called me back.
He purposely kept his voice steady. "Emily, you must be exhausted from your trip. You probably saw the wrong pair of shoes."
"Maybe," I said, keeping my tone entirely gentle. "That is why I invited my parents and all our relatives over to help me confirm."
"Are you crazy?" Andrew snapped.
"Dinner is at seven, so do not be late," I said.
"Emily, what the hell are you trying to do?" he demanded.
I cast a glance at the freezer, answering, "I am celebrating the holiday."
I could hear Andrew's tense breathing through the phone.
"Don't do anything stupid. Wait until I get back," he said.
"Alright," I replied.
I smiled, about to end the call. "I will wait for you."