ook4Chapter2
John appeared behind her, his face a mask of displeasure. Rumors spread like wildfire, fueled by Chloe’s crocodile tears. Suddenly, I was the “heartless wife” trying to sabotage the “poor, innocent graduate.” John defended me publicly, claiming it was a smear campaign by a rival company, but the damage was done.
That night, John held me close, whispering apologies. I wanted to believe him, I really did. But something told me this was just the beginning. Chloe wasn’t going to give up so easily.
Things escalated quickly. John came home drunk one night, collapsing on the couch with a hiccup. It wasn’t unusual for him to work late, but recently, it had become the norm. The smell of her perfume, however, was a new addition to his usual post–work musk.
“Who were you drinking with?” My voice trembled, barely a whisper.
“Just… business partners,” he mumbled, waving me away.
He reached for his water glass, but I grabbed his hand, my fingers digging into his skin. He shoved me away, sending me crashing into the coffee table. My head throbbed, and I tasted blood.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” he yelled.
Then, he saw the blood.
His anger evaporated, replaced by a panic I’d never seen before. He scrambled for the first aid kit, his hands shaking.
As I sat there, dazed and bleeding, I saw his phone light up. Chloe’s message flashed across the screen.
“Home yet, babe?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell your wife you drank so much ;)”
John swiped the notification away, his face pale. He called for an ambulance, hist voice strained. I laughed, a dry, humorless sound that caught in my throat.
The game was on.
At the hospital, after the doctor stitched up my head, John held my hand, his eyes
bloodshot and filled with remorse.
“Amelia, I’m so sorry, I…“.
I cut him off, pulling out my phone. I dialed a number, the familiar ringtone echoing in the sterile room.
“Hey, it’s Amelia. I need you to look into someone for me. Chloe Miller.”
John went white as a sheet. He tried to pry the phone away, his voice pleading.
“Amelia, please don’t do this. I’m so sorry, I’ll never do it again, I promise.”
I looked at him, my heart aching. This wasn’t the man I married. This wasn’t the man who swore to love and cherish me.
“I just… I’m just curious about her, that’s all. Indulge me?”
He hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the phone. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He took the phone and made the call.
