Chapter 2
October 12th.
The whole villa was drowned in silence at 2 A.M, except for my sobs, shattering the emptiness of the bedroom like a nightingale with its throat squeezed shut.
Alex's phone lay on the nightstand, its screen dark, just like a tombstone. I'd happened to catch it lighting up while he was in the shower. A WhatsApp notification from Vivian popped up for a split second. I didn't need to read the whole message. The sweet nickname and the heart emoji burned into my eyes like a branding iron.
It was time.
When Alex came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, he saw me curled up at the foot of the bed, crying so hard I was trembling.
"Emily? What's wrong?" Alex hurried over, sounding a little annoyed, though he hid it fast.
I didn't answer. I just buried my face in my knees and cried even harder. My whole body shook, as if my world had fallen apart. Every breath was deliberate, making sure each sob was full of despair, but never crossing into hysteria.
"What's wrong?" Alex sat down next to me, trying to pull me into his arms.
I shoved him away, finally lifting my tear-streaked face to look at him with a shattered expression he'd never seen before. "Alex, you don't love me anymore?"
He froze. Clearly, he'd imagined a hundred different scenarios, but never this. It's such a raw, hopelessly-in-love question. Panic flickered in his eyes for a moment, then quickly gave way to relief, he was thinking, 'Oh, so it's just this.'
"Don't say that. How could I not love you?" Alex hugged me again, and this time I didn't refuse. The fresh scent of his shower gel made me feel sick to my stomach.
"You're lying to me..." I pressed my face against his chest, but my voice muffled and shaky with tears. "Is there someone else? Let's just get divorced. I don't want to burden you anymore..."
I deliberately said nothing about assets or Vivian. I just kept repeating love. To him, I knew this was nothing but a spoiled woman having a foolish emotional meltdown. A smart woman would investigate, negotiate, and fight for her interests. But a foolish one just cries and begs for a divorce, as if love is her whole world.
Alex started soothing me, repeating those cheap lines he'd said countless times. He gently patted my back, like he was calming a frightened animal. Yet his eyes drifted right over my head, staring into empty space. There was no love, only impatience and calculations. He thought my breakdown would only speed up his plan to get my assets. After all, a wife who's emotionally unstable is easier to control.
Just as he leaned down to press a comforting kiss to my forehead, his phone on the nightstand lit up again.
It was Vivian.
The message was short, but I caught every word.
"Honey, did she freak out? Is the plan still on track?"
The screen stayed lit for just three seconds before going dark again. The darkness settled back over us, like a gentle hand smoothing over all the dirty secrets.
He didn't realize I'd seen the message. He just kissed my forehead softly and whispered, "Don't overthink it. Go to sleep."
Lying in his arms, I closed my eyes, a secret smile playing at my lips.