Chapter 1
Note: The inner thoughts of people other than the protagonist are expressed in [] marks.
*****
Three years into playing the perfect wife, Samuel Foster got into a car accident.
I knelt beside his hospital bed, crying harder than anyone else while he lay there unconscious. Inside though? I was doing cartwheels.
[If this bastard actually dies, I'll get everything.]
[Hundreds of billions! Jackpot!]
That was when Samuel's eyes snapped open.
"What did you just say?" he asked.
*****
I looked up, tears instantly flooding my eyes. I let my voice shake as I gave him my most lovesick gaze.
"I was just saying—as long as you're okay, I'd die for you right now if you asked."
[Nailed it!]
[With those lines and this expression, I'm almost moved by my own performance.]
But Samuel didn't give me his usual look of contempt.
He just stared at me.
For the first time, his handsome face was twisted with confusion and shock.
Did he lose his mind or something?
I looked at his face—once handsome, now a mess from the accident—and felt a punch of dread.
Did this bastard get his brain damaged in the crash?
He wouldn't stop staring—a blank, chilling gaze that made my skin crawl.
[What are you staring at? Never seen a drama queen before?]
Just as I started wondering if the accident scrambled his brain, Charlotte Winters couldn't stay quiet anymore.
She tugged his sleeve, voice all sugary sweet. "Sam, what's wrong? Did Vivian upset you again? Come on, Vivian, apologize to Sam."
Classic move—putting me on the spot while playing innocent.
Usually, Samuel would've jumped at the chance to tear into me.
But today? He just brushed her aside, eyes locked on me.
After Samuel got discharged, things at home got weird.
He stopped with the snarky comments, but he still wouldn't show me any warmth.
Mostly, he just stared at me.
It was seriously creeping me out.
[Samuel, if you keep staring like that, I'm gonna think you're secretly into me.]
[Weirdo. You're giving me the chills.]
Every day under that bizarre stare, I kept up my devoted wife act like I was born for the role.
That afternoon, I was sprawled on the couch with a sheet mask on, watching TV, when Charlotte walked in clutching a thermos.
"Vivian, I made some soup for Sam. Where is he?" Her voice was all soft and innocent, but her eyes were scanning me, especially lingering on my thousand-dollar face mask.
[Soup, huh? This princess wouldn't know a kitchen if she fell into one. Bet she just ordered takeout and slapped her name on it.]
While I was roasting her in my head, I acted surprised and grateful, quickly peeling off my mask.
"Charlotte, you're so thoughtful. Sam's in the study. Come on in, make yourself at home."
Samuel came out as soon as he heard us.
Charlotte practically floated over, all smiles, and handed him the thermos.
"Sam, I made this soup just for you. Try it."
They acted like I didn't exist, so I figured I'd sneak upstairs and leave them to it.
"Vivian, wait." Charlotte suddenly stopped me, eyes zeroing in on my wrist. "That bracelet is gorgeous. Did Sam give it to you?"
My heart skipped a beat.
This bracelet? It was actually a gift from Samuel's mother.
She never once gave me the time of day, but this thing was a Foster family heirloom—worth a small fortune.
[As if that bastard would ever buy me something this expensive. That'll be the day.]
[Is she about to pull the classic trick? Ask to see it, "accidentally" drop it, then cry and make me look petty while she plays victim. And Samuel will rush to comfort her. I'll bet money that's exactly how this goes.]