"It's been a few years since that incident of my severe illness, and Phil has been on his best behavior. I returned, and now, I am one of America's youngest billionaires." She said happily.
"Not to mention, I am three weeks pregnant. Most of all, Phil had been such a loving husband and caring father. Even though I wasn't feeling well, he'd been there for me." She said to the hostess in the show's greenroom.
She had been invited to a talk show meant for successful, happily married women.
The hostess, Eliara—I could never forget her name—beamed at me. "What's your next project?" she asked.
"Well, I'm working on opening a new branch of Elizabeth Cosmetics in Shanghai. I've been working on it extensively—it's exhausting but worth it," she said warmly.
"And your marriage? How's that working out with the baby coming along?" the hostess asked.
Elizabeth beamed. "It's exciting. Phil has been extra attentive lately. He's very caring and kind, and he makes me happy. I feel this child will be a blessing," she said.
"That's wonderful! Well, have you ever felt your husband might have cheated on you or been unfaithful?" Eliara asked.
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably, clearing her throat. "Well, I don't really understand what you mean. My husband is very faithful, I can assure you. I have no reason to doubt his loyalty. We're one big happy family," she said with a tight-lipped smile.
"Right, of course. Was there ever a time you suspected him, though?"
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, her fingernails biting into her flesh. "No."
Eliara nodded. Elizabeth straightened her already perfect posture. "I think I've had enough of the show today. I'd like to go home—I'm tired," she said politely.
Eliara beamed at her. "Of course. Take care of yourself and the baby," she said acidly.
Elizabeth's heels clicked as she muttered under her breath, "Stupid bitch doesn't know when to quit."
She stepped outside, where her Rolls-Royce Phantom gleamed under the sun. Its sleek black paint seemed almost too perfect.
She dialed her husband, hoping he wouldn't forget their date today. He had been busy lately.
The call went to voicemail. Her breath hitched, but she forced a smile. No way...
That woman had planted a seed of doubt in her mind.
Phil would never...
Phil would never cheat on her...
She swore to herself.
----
She returned home, humming and dancing after a hot shower.
Wrapped in her thick bathrobe, the doorbell sounded. She walked gracefully out of her room, down the stairs, into the living room, and opened the door.
A delivery man she had never seen before stood there.
"Ecstasy Pharmaceuticals. Delivery for Mr. Phil. Please sign here."
Reluctantly, she signed and took the little brown bag.
She dumped it on her bedside table, but curiosity ate at her flesh.
She rarely stayed home because of her long work hours, so it wasn't strange that a pharmacy would deliver medication to her husband's home. After all, he was a doctor.
Yet, she reached for the bag and opened it to see a single pill.
She read the name on it: HIGHNESS. Nothing more. No instructions, no labels.
She searched it on the web and found something horrifying. So horrifying that her phone slipped from her hand.
Her eyes welled up with tears as the past few years flashed before her eyes.
Everything felt hot. Her phone rang, the shattered screen glowing with her husband's name.
With shaking hands, she took the call. "Hello?"
"Hey, babe. I'll be late, okay? Just wait for me at the restaurant. I'll be there," he said.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Of course, babe."
She turned off the call and found her blackest dress with simple pearls for jewelry.
Getting into her Lamborghini, wearing sleek black heels, she drove at a frightening speed.
She arrived at the restaurant, where she sat with a simple bottle of water, waiting.
She didn't move a muscle. No.
She sat, staring at the bottle for two hours.
Her phone dinged.
"Oh, baby, something came up. I'm so sorry. Can we reschedule tomorrow? I promise," his text read.
She texted back. "Sure."
It had been years since she felt the need to track him down. She hadn't done it in forever.
She turned on her GPS, got into her car, and followed the signal to a very grand hotel.
Her family's hotel.
For a moment, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Maybe I'm overthinking this. He's probably in a business meeting with my dad.
It would be so embarrassing if he was. He'd texted her, after all. He'd apologized.
As she turned to leave, thinking what a dumbass she was, she saw it.
At the top of the building, in the midst of billowing curtains at the glass wall.
Silhouettes. Shadows kissed.
It shouldn't have bothered her.
It was a hotel.
It was just shadows.
Yet, it ate her alive.
She made a call.
One ring...
Two rings...
Three rings...
The shadow raised a hand to pick up the phone.
"Hey, babe. Sorry I couldn't make it."
"It's just work, right? Can I come see you?" she asked, staring at the shadow up above in the window of the last floor.
"Don't stress yourself. I'll be home late. I love you," he said.
Her heart pounded against her chest. "I love you too," she whispered as the first drop of rain touched her bare shoulder.
He ended the call, tossing the phone on the bed. The shadows kissed again.
From the small crack in the curtains, she saw his chest. His naked chest.
Blinded by rage, she got into her car and began to drive.
She screamed, hitting the wheel like a maniac, until the cops began to tail her.
He swore to me!
He swore to me that he loved me!
He said he would never cheat on me!
He signed that bloody contract!
I thought I meant something to him!
Before she could control her fury, light flashed before her eyes, and the deafening sound of a collision knocked her unconscious.