Chapter 1
On my wedding day, the limo exploded, killing Jacob Scott, an eight-year-old boy.
Afterward, my husband, David Grant, sold our apartment without telling me and gave the money to Jacob's mother, Claire Scott.
Back then, I thought he was just being soft-hearted, so I let it go and forgave him.
But three months later, as I lay on the operating table, crushed by the pain of losing our baby, my phone lit up with a video.
It showed David and Claire wrapped around each other, practically glued together.
Their conversation was full of Claire's mocking words, and she finally spilled the truth about why the limo exploded.
*****
On the day I married David, I really thought all my waiting and heartbreak had finally paid off. I was sure the nightmare was over and happy days were ahead.
Little did I know, disaster was waiting around the corner. The wedding limo exploded, and an innocent kid lost his life.
What was supposed to be the happiest day of my life ended in chaos and heartbreak. Everything just fell apart.
The official report said it was a wiring failure that sparked the fire and blew up the car.
The shockwave knocked me off my feet, and before I knew it, I was lying in a hospital bed, battered and barely holding on.
But after I got out of the hospital, I found out David had secretly sold our apartment and handed all the money over to Claire, Jacob's mother.
"David, we're married now. Even if you wanted to compensate her, shouldn't you have at least talked with me first?" I asked, feeling a little hurt.
"Emily, I just didn't want you worrying about all this while you were still trying to heal," he replied, his voice gentle.
"But David, we just bought that car. How could this happen?" I pressed.
Before I could finish, David gently patted my back, his tone soothing as he murmured.
"Emily, I feel partly responsible. I just didn't want her causing trouble for us," he said softly.
"But isn't there insurance for this? And besides, this whole mess..." I started, but he cut me off.
"Come on, it's just an apartment. Selling it isn't the end of the world. I promise, I'll work hard and get us an even bigger, better place." He tried to reassure me.
"Don't be mad, okay?" he added gently.
As he spoke, he pulled me closer, trying to kiss me.
But just as he moved in close, I caught a strange scent of perfume clinging to him—something I'd never smelled before. For a second, doubt flickered in my mind.
I was ready to question him, but right at that moment, his phone suddenly started ringing.
David took one look at the caller ID, his eyes clouded over with something I couldn't quite place. He let go of me and slipped out to the balcony, leaving me alone and uneasy.
I could just barely hear his voice from outside. "Don't worry, I'll be there soon," he said, and my heart sank even further.
After hanging up the phone, David looked anxious.
"Emily, something's come up with the project I'm in charge of. I have to step out for a bit," he said, his voice tense.
"Just stay home and rest, okay? I'll be back soon," he added, trying to sound reassuring.
Without waiting for my reply, he threw on his coat and was out the door.
Watching his back as he left, I couldn't help but frown.
I couldn't shake the feeling that David wasn't the same as before.
David and I had been together since our school days all the way to our wedding. Everyone we knew couldn't help but envy the bond we shared.
While other couples kept splitting up and making up, David and I were still hopelessly devoted to each other.
But then, right as we were finally about to tie the knot, disaster struck.
From that day on, David changed.
He started spending less and less time at home.
He said he just felt sorry for Claire. She was so young, and losing her child must have hurt more than anyone could imagine. That was why he was always looking out for her, or so he claimed.
At first, I bought it. I didn't overthink it.
But the more often he visited Claire, the more uneasy I felt. Something felt off.
Whenever I brought it up with David, he would just comfort me, telling me not to overthink it and insisting that I was the only one he loved.
That day, I decided to go to the hospital for a check-up. My period was late, and I felt that maybe I was pregnant.
Call it intuition, but I knew something was different.
But the moment I got out, there were David and Claire, talking and laughing together in the hallway like nothing was out of the ordinary.
What was Claire doing there?
This was the place we'd just moved into after David sold our apartment.
"David?" My voice quivered just a little, betraying my unease.
He glanced up, and for a split second, I saw awkwardness flicker in his eyes.
"Emily, you know me and Claire go way back. We were neighbors years ago," he said, trying to brush it off like it was no big deal.
He went on, "She was at our wedding, and losing her kid hit her hard. Ever since, she's been struggling with depression."
"When I was out apartment hunting, I noticed the place next door was free, so I figured it'd be easier to keep an eye on her if she lived close," he added, sounding almost defensive.
Keeping an eye on her, huh? Right next door... How convenient.
Yeah, that was about as close as he could get.
He was so thoughtful.
Three months already, and it was still not enough for him?
She was just all smiles and laughter a second ago. Did she look depressed to anyone? Please.
When she caught me staring, she acted pitiful, squeezing out two crocodile tears.
"Emily, please don't be mad at Dave. He's just worried about me because I'm so heartbroken. He's afraid I might do something stupid," she whimpered, acting all innocent.