Chapter 2

I used my growing belly as an excuse, claiming I needed more space, and moved into the guest bedroom.

I spent the entire night plotting how to tear their relationship apart.

The next morning, I opened Instagram on my own phone, found Abigail's piano video, and showed it to my husband.

He feigned ignorance. "Who is this?"

I played along, pretending I had no idea they knew each other. "It's my best friend. She was my bridesmaid."

He kept up the act. "Oh... I barely remember her. Why are you showing me this?"

I desperately wanted to curse him out, but I held it in. "Look at her. She learned a whole song after just three lessons."

"Three... three times?" He tried hard to mask his shock.

"Yeah. I want to take piano lessons too. Once I learn, I can play for you at home every day."

He immediately shot the idea down. "Piano lessons are way too expensive. We can't afford that. No way."

Just like in my old life, he hated seeing a single cent spent on me.

He had been unemployed and broke for ages.

My real estate commissions paid for absolutely everything in our lives.

He blew through my money without a second thought but clamped down on my spending.

I pushed back. "Well, that massage chair I bought you cost seven grand. Why didn't you say that was expensive?"

He snapped, raising his voice. "The massage chair is for both of us! What's the point of you learning piano? Are you planning to perform at Carnegie Hall?"

"It's not expensive. My friend spent less than ten dollars total on her classes."

"Are you kidding? How is that possible?" Suspicion flashed in his eyes.

"It's true. She told me herself. Every music studio has a three dollar trial class. She just went to three different places. Thirty bucks isn't expensive."

"But she said..." He almost slipped up but caught himself just in time. He resorted to insulting me. "Look at yourself. Do you have any artistic vibe at all? You think you can compare to your friend?"

I looked down at myself. Pregnancy hormones had caused me to gain forty pounds. None of my beautiful clothes fit anymore.

My face was breaking out, and my hair was falling out.

Back in college, I was the sorority sweetheart. I never imagined I would end up looking like this.

I fired back. "I only look like this because I'm having your baby!"

Knowing he was out of line, he shut his mouth and retreated to the bedroom with his phone.

*****

A few days later, Abigail posted a photo of a brand new Chanel bag on Instagram.

I waited until my husband was sitting right next to me before calling her on speakerphone. "Hey Abigail, your new bag is stunning!"

Abigail bragged shamelessly. "Gorgeous, right? People online are so gullible. They all think it's authentic. The real deal costs 17 grand. How could I ever afford that?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my husband craning his neck to listen.

I raised my voice in fake surprise. "Wait, it's not real? How much was it then?"

Abigail Carter replied, "Oh, it's just a knockoff I found online. Only cost me five hundred yuan."

Abigail replied casually. "I just found a decent knockoff online for fifty bucks." Before I could even respond, she burst out laughing. "My followers are such idiots.

"They're all praising my wealth and taste. What a bunch of clueless losers!"

We chatted a bit more before I hung up. I turned to see my husband wearing a look of absolute disbelief.

Now he finally knew Abigail's true colors. But this was far from over.