Chapter 8
"How are you going to arrange it?" I asked.
"I'll set her up with a new identity and give her a fresh start," William replied.
"Will she agree?" I asked.
"She will," William said.
"And you? Are you willing?" I asked.
He looked me straight in the eye and said, serious as ever, "Of course I am. You're my wife."
Hearing that, it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest.
After three years, he finally said something that actually sounded like a real person.
The next day, he took me for a full medical check-up. It took the whole afternoon.
On the way back, we passed a mall, and he pulled over.
"Go pick out a dress for the five-year anniversary party," he said.
I looked at him.
"You're letting me attend?" I asked.
"Of course. You're Mrs. Bennett," he said.
For a second, I almost believed him.
But the next night, everything changed.
I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and passed by the study.
The door was slightly open, and the glow from the computer screen spilled out.
I pushed it open a little more.
William wasn't there, but the computer was still on.
On the screen was an email addressed to the Bennett family's lawyer.
The subject line read: [Consultation on the Assessment of Violet Bennett's Mental State and the Process for Determining Civil Capacity.]
The email was long, so I skimmed through it quickly.
The main point was simple.
If Violet were declared legally incompetent, all her assets and company shares would be handed over to her legal guardian to manage.
A spouse would be prioritized as a legal guardian.
That referred to William.
His kindness these past few days wasn't because he'd had a change of heart.
He was just using the medical report against me.
One of the tests in the full medical check-up he had me undergo was a brain function assessment.
If the results showed I had cognitive issues, he could petition the court to become my legal guardian.
Then he wouldn't have to kick me out or file for divorce.
Just one official report, and I'd be declared legally incompetent.
Fiona would stay Mrs. Bennett.
And I wouldn't even have the right to object.
I slipped out of the study and went back to the guest room.
The new dress I'd just bought was hanging in the closet, still with the tag on.
I looked at it and let out a bitter laugh.
I almost fell for it.
I was so close to falling for it.
*****
On the day of the five-year anniversary party, at five in the afternoon, William left the house in a dark suit.
Before he left, he came by the guest room to check on me.
"Get some rest. I'll take you out for dinner tomorrow," he said.
I was wrapped in a blanket, leaning against the headboard, and just nodded at him.
I sat there, quiet and obedient, not saying a single unnecessary word.
He closed the door, looking satisfied.
As soon as I heard his car leave the neighborhood, I got out of bed.
I grabbed the black dress from the closet, the classic red lipstick I bought at the mall three days ago, and a pair of black heels I'd rush-ordered online.
At six sharp, I booked a ride to the Harmony Hotel.
At the entrance to the sixth-floor party hall, two receptionists were standing guard.
"Please show your invitation," one of them said.
I didn't have one.
Just then, Sienna poked her head out from the fire exit and waved me over.
I slipped into the party hall through the side door.
The hall was decked out in grand style.
Fresh flowers, dazzling lights, a live band, and round tables filled the space, with over a hundred guests dressed to the nines, mingling and chatting.
Right in the center of the stage hung a banner that read: [William Bennett and Violet Bennett's Five-Year Wedding Anniversary party.]
Violet Bennett.
That was my name.
I edged my way through the crowd, keeping to the sides, and finally stopped behind a pillar.
The head table was right up front.
William was sitting in the center, with Darcy on his left.
There was a woman seated to his right.
She wore a custom white gown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, pearl earrings, and her makeup was impeccable.
She smiled softly, tilting her head a little as she talked to William.
It was Fiona.
She was sitting in my seat.
Pinned to her chest was the emerald brooch my grandmother passed down to me.
On her wrist was the bracelet William gave me for our engagement.
She wasn't wearing a necklace yet.
Because the custom necklace with my name, Violet Bennett, engraved on it was still in William's hands.
He was going to put it on her himself.
At 7:30, the host took the stage.
"Thank you all for joining Mr. and Mrs. Bennett's five-year wedding anniversary. Five years side by side, weathering every storm together. Now, let's invite Mr. Bennett to give his wife a special gift."
The whole room erupted in applause.
William stood up and took a velvet box out of his pocket.
Fiona stepped forward, head lowered, smiling shyly.
He opened the box, revealing a platinum necklace nestled in deep blue velvet, the pendant engraved with my name.
He picked up the necklace, and Fiona turned around, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
His hand hovered, ready to fasten the necklace around her neck.
"Wait."
My voice came from the back of the hall.
I didn't speak loudly, but the room had just gone silent, so every word landed perfectly.
"That name on the necklace is mine," I said.
Everyone turned to stare at me.
William's hand paused midair, the necklace dangling, and his expression shifted in an instant.