Chapter 2
The next day, I took the day off.
I told Emily I had to go on a last-minute business trip to the neighboring city and would be back tomorrow.
She packed my suitcase for me, just like always.
She folded my white shirt and suit pants neatly.
As she packed, she kept fussing over me. "Drive safe, okay?
"Text me when you get there.
"And don't drink tonight, you know your stomach can't handle it."
Her voice was gentle, her eyes full of concern, and there wasn't a single crack in her mask.
If it hadn't been for what happened yesterday, I would've totally bought her act.
But today, all I felt was this cold creeping over me.
The more she pretended everything was normal, the deeper my suspicions got.
She walked me to the door, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed me on the cheek.
"Honey, come back soon," she said softly.
I looked into her eyes, trying to spot even a flicker of panic.
Nothing. Not a trace.
Just the same gentle warmth as always.
I nodded, turned around, and pulled my suitcase behind me as I left.
As soon as the door closed, I heard her lock it from the inside.
I didn't go to the neighboring city.
I drove to a parking lot close to home, then grabbed a cab.
My destination was Westview Residences on the west side of the city.
Sitting in the taxi, my palms were sweating the whole time.
I was scared.
I was terrified the address was real.
And honestly, I was just as scared it might be fake.
If David was just making things up, then I'd just be some paranoid idiot, suspecting my wife for nothing.
But what if it was true?
I couldn't even bring myself to imagine what that would mean.
Westview Residences was way more upscale than I expected.
Security was strict; a keycard was needed to enter the building.
I couldn't get inside.
I had no choice but to wait at a café across the street.
I ordered an Americano, but my stomach was in knots. I just stared at it, unable to take a sip.
My eyes were glued to the entrance of the complex.
I felt like a prisoner waiting for my sentence.
Time dragged by, every second stretching into an eternity.
Ten, eleven, twelve, noon came and went.
People came and went, but not a single familiar face in sight.
I started to doubt myself.
Maybe I really was just overthinking it.
Maybe David just made up that address just to mess with Emily and Sophia because they're so close.
I picked up my phone, about to call Emily.
Right then, I spotted someone I knew.
My heart skipped a beat.
It was Sophia.
She had on sunglasses and a mask, rushing out of the complex. She hopped into an Uber and disappeared into the city, gone in a blink.
I just froze, unable to move.
Why Sophia?
Was this apartment Sophia's?
Maybe David thought Sophia was cheating, found this place, and since Emily and Sophia are so close, he just took it out on Emily?
That kind of made sense.
I felt the heavy stone in my heart loosen a bit.
I let out a long breath, feeling like I was coming back to life.
I picked up my cold coffee and took a big gulp.
It was bitter, but it cleared my head.
I was about to leave.
Just as I was about to stand up, my gaze froze.
Someone else stepped out of the gate.
She was wearing a beige trench coat, carrying the exclusive bag I'd bought her just last week.
She had a mask on, but that figure, that walk, so familiar it was etched into my bones.
It was Emily.
No doubt about it.
She was supposed to be at home.
Why was she coming out of Westview Residences?
Why did she and Sophia leave one after the other?
A thousand questions blew up in my head like grenades.
I just stood there, frozen, watching her walk to the curb and get into a cab.
The cab was headed straight toward her office.
I couldn't move a muscle.
Soft music played in the café, but it was all just background noise to me.
All I could hear was the blood thundering in my ears, drowning everything else out.
What the hell were those two up to?
Whose place was this, anyway?
I pulled out my phone, my hands shaking so bad I could barely hold it.
I opened up my chat with Emily.
She'd sent me a message about an hour ago.
[Babe, I'm at the office now. Got a busy day ahead, might have to work late tonight!]
She sent a selfie at her desk along with the message.
She was all smiles in the picture, the familiar company logo right there behind her.
But that photo was from before.
She was lying to me.
She left home, but instead of heading to the office, she went straight to Westview Residences, a place I'd never even heard of before.
And Sophia, her best friend she'd just had a huge fight with, turned up at the exact same spot.
After that, she sent me a staged selfie, claiming she was at work.
David's words rang in my ears again.
"You pull more tricks than anyone here."
I slowly sank back into my chair.
The stone in my heart didn't budge, instead, it turned into a mountain, pressing down on me.
I had to get inside.
I needed to find out what secrets were hiding in Apartment 1701.
I walked up to the gate and spoke to the security guard.
"Hey, I'm here to see the owner of 1701, Building 2. My phone died, could you buzz me in?"
The guard gave me a suspicious look.
"Do you know the owner's last name for 1701?" he asked.
I froze.
I had no idea.
So I just said, "Her last name is Carter. Mrs. Carter."
The guard picked up his walkie-talkie and spoke into it.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"There's no Mrs. Carter living here," he said.
He looked me up and down.
"If you're looking for someone, just have your friend come get you," he said.
I was stuck outside, unable to get in.
Staring up at that towering building, I felt completely powerless for the first time.
The secret was just behind that door.
But I couldn't even get past the front door, it was like the whole place was locked down tight, and I was powerless to do anything.
I went back to the café across the street and stayed put.
I just knew something was about to go down today.
I needed a chance.
A chance to get inside.
I sat in my car, like a hunter lying in wait, ready to pounce the moment my prey showed up.
Evening hit, and rush hour was in full swing.
Cars started piling up at the entrance.
Just then, a delivery bike pulled up to the gate.
The delivery guy, carrying a food box, chatted with the guard for a moment, and the guard let him right in.
My eyes lit up.
I grabbed my phone and searched for the best-rated restaurant nearby.
Then I ordered the most expensive meal on the menu.
I typed in the address, making sure it was crystal clear.
Apartment 1701, Unit 1, Building 2, Westview Residences.
For the recipient, I put "Mrs. Carter."
I left my own phone number.
Once everything was set, I leaned back and waited, nerves on edge.
Half an hour later, my phone rang.
It was the delivery guy.
"Hello, is this Mrs. Carter? Your food's here, but no one's answering the door at 1701, and I can't get through on the phone," the delivery guy said.
I dropped my voice, sounding worn out, with a hint of exhaustion.
"Oh, man, sorry about that, I'm still working late," I replied.
"Just leave the food at the door, I'll pick it up when I get back.
"I've already paid online."
The delivery guy hesitated.
"Leave it at the door? What if someone swipes it? That's an expensive order," he said.
I jumped in, "Don't worry, that place is super secure, stuff never gets stolen there."
"Thanks, dude. Really appreciate it," I said.
After I hung up, my heart was racing.
It worked.
Now, that expensive delivery was lying right outside the door of 1701, waiting.
Like bait.
If Emily showed up tonight and saw it, how would she react?
Would she pick it up? Would she bring it inside?
If she took it, that meant she was the owner of this place.
If she didn't, then why not?
I started the car, but instead of heading home, I pulled into the underground parking lot right across from Westview Residences.
I wasn't leaving tonight.
I wanted to see with my own eyes who would show up to grab that food.