Chapter 4
Murray finally got home at ten that night.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry. Today was really a mess," he said, exhausted.
"It's alright. Did you get everything sorted out?" I asked.
"Not yet. I still have more to deal with tomorrow," Murray replied.
"Why don't you go take a shower and get some rest?" I suggested.
While Murray was in the shower, I sneaked a look at his phone. Sure enough, he and Sylvia had been texting a lot.
Murray: [Sylvia, you must be really tired today.]
Sylvia: [I'm okay. I was really happy to go to the hospital with you for the checkup.]
Murray: [Me too. Seeing our baby growing healthy was really touching for me.]
Sylvia: [Murray, I love you.]
Murray: [Love you too. Once this is all over, we can finally be together for real, no more hiding.]
I took screenshots of their messages and erased any signs I'd ever touched his phone.
When Murray came out of the shower, he saw me sitting on the bed, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" he said as he sat down beside me.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just feel like everything's different since we got married," I murmured.
"Different how?" Murray asked.
"You're always so busy now, and we hardly spend any time together anymore," I replied.
Murray wrapped his arms around me, guilt written all over his face. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Once things settle down, I promise I'll spend more time with you."
"Murray, I want a baby," I blurted out.
His body went tense for a moment. "Elizabeth, we're still young. There's no rush to have a baby."
"But I do want one," I said, meeting his eyes. "Don't you want a baby with me?"
"It's not that I don't want one. It's just not the right time," Murray said, avoiding my gaze. "Let's wait until my career is more stable."
"So when will that be?" I pressed.
"Maybe in a year or two," Murray replied.
By then, Sylvia's baby would probably be running around already.
"Alright," I said, my voice full of disappointment.
*****
Over the next few days, Murray was always busy, leaving early and coming home late. Meanwhile, Eric finally had some good news for me.
"Ms. Sampson, we've gathered all the evidence you asked for," Eric said, handing me a USB drive.
"What's on it?" I asked.
"It's got your husband's chat logs with Sylvia, security footage of them going in and out of hotels together, and Sylvia's pregnancy test results and prenatal checkup records," Eric replied.
I took the USB drive, my emotions all tangled up inside. With this evidence, I could finally tear off Murray's mask and reveal his true colors.
"And we also dug up something big," Eric added.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Before Sylvia even got pregnant, your husband was already searching for the perfect house to set her up in as his mistress," Eric said.
"Where's the house?" I asked.
"Willow Estate. It's fully renovated, just waiting for Sylvia to move in," Eric replied.
I let out a cold laugh. Murray really was scheming from the start.
"Eric, could you do me one more favor?" I asked.
"Of course, just tell me what you need," Eric replied.
"Has Murray talked to any lawyers lately, especially about divorcing me?" I asked.
"I'll look into it right away," Eric said.
That afternoon, Eric got back to me.
"Ms. Sampson, your husband's been secretly consulting lawyers about getting a divorce. He's trying to come out on top in the property split," Eric reported.
My heart went ice cold. Murray wasn't just cheating—he was coming for my money too. If that was how he wanted to play, I wouldn't hold back anymore.
That night, Murray actually made it home early for once.
"Elizabeth, tomorrow's the weekend. Want to catch a movie together?" he suggested.
"I'd love to," I said with a smile.
"Let's pick a romance, just like old times," Murray added.
"Murray Johnson," I blurted out, calling him by his full name out of nowhere.
He looked startled. "What's up?"
"If one day, there's no love left between us, what would you do?" I pressed, my voice low.
Murray just froze, confused. "Why would you ask that out of the blue?"
"I've been wondering lately—if someday we stopped loving each other, would we end up like those couples who split up, fighting over every last cent and custody like it's a battlefield?" I said.
"It won't happen," Murray said softly, squeezing my hand. "Elizabeth, our love is forever."
"Really?" I asked.
"Really," he answered, meeting my gaze. "I swear, you'll always be the only one for me."
What a beautiful lie. If I hadn't discovered his secrets, maybe I'd still believe him. But now, that promise just made me sick.
*****
The movie theater was packed that weekend. Murray had picked out a popular romance.
We settled into the love seats, and he gently slipped his hand over mine.
The hero turned to the heroine and said, "I'll love you for a lifetime. That's never gonna change."
Murray turned to me. "Elizabeth, just like the hero in the movie, I'll love you for a lifetime too."
I just smiled without saying a word.
Just then, Murray's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression instantly darkened.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's work. I need to take this," Murray said, getting up.
Murray slipped out of the theater, and I quietly sneaked out after him.
"Sylvia, what happened?" he answered. After listening for a moment, he raised his voice. "You're bleeding? Don't worry. I'm on my way."
As soon as he hung up, Murray dashed for the exit, almost running.
I slipped out right after him, watching his car speed off down the street. Without hesitation, I stepped into the waiting taxi and directed the driver to follow him.
As expected, he drove straight over to Evergreen Medical Center.
I waited outside the hospital for an hour before I finally saw Murray and Sylvia come out of the ER.
Sylvia looked ghostly pale, and Murray was holding her up, his face tight with worry.
"What did the doctor say?" Murray asked, his voice tense.
"The doctor said it's a threatened miscarriage. I need to stay in bed and rest," Sylvia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Let's get you home right away," Murray said, his voice gentle but urgent.
"Murray, I'm so scared I might lose this baby," Sylvia sobbed, her voice trembling.
"I swear, nothing will ever hurt our baby," Murray insisted, wrapping his arms around her protectively.
I watched from afar, each word stabbing at my heart as I took in the scene.
They went back to the Willow Estate, and I waited outside until well past midnight before Murray finally left.
When he got home, I was already waiting for him in the living room.
"Murray, you're back," I said, standing up to greet him.
Murray looked surprised. "Elizabeth, why are you still up?"
"I was waiting for you. You left halfway through the movie, and I couldn't help worrying about you," I said softly.
"Sorry, something urgent came up at the office," Murray said, avoiding my gaze.
"What was it? Did you manage to handle everything?" I asked.
"Yes, it's all sorted," Murray replied.
"Good," I said as I walked over to him. "You look worn out. Why don't you go get some sleep?"
Murray nodded and went off to take a shower.