Bobbie remained completely unaware.
It had been three days since I spun the lie, and he still believed every word. I told him I was volunteering at the orphanage we supported—the one catering to hearing-impaired children. It was the ideal cover story, one he’d never think to question. In his mind, I was still the fragile, obedient wife who adored him.
But in truth, I was holed up in a hotel room, glued to my laptop screen, observing him through the surveillance cameras I’d discreetly installed inside our home.
And Bobbie? He was busy making love to Viola—in our bedroom.
I clenched my teeth and forced myself to keep watching. Each caress, every hushed vow, all the dirty things they whispered to each other—it was all being recorded in flawless detail.
“I hate sneaking around like this,” Viola murmured, her lips grazing his collarbone as she traced a line down his torso with her finger.
Bobbie gave a cocky grin, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Just hold on a bit longer. Once everything’s finalized, I’ll take care of it all.”
Viola frowned. “I’m not happy she’s coming back so soon. I was hoping she’d be gone longer.”
He sighed and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “She still has her uses. But don’t worry, babe. She won’t be an issue much longer. Just make sure Leonard doesn’t cause problems, okay?”
My stomach churned.
To him, I had always been just another complication.
Without another second’s hesitation, I opened my laptop and got to work. In mere minutes, I had created a fake account—secure, encrypted, and impossible to trace. I uploaded the video files and scheduled them for automatic release. One copy would be sent to Leonard—Viola’s unsuspecting husband.
The other copy? It was going straight to the press. Viola had carefully curated her public persona for years—model wife, loyal partner, the woman who slipped through everyone’s fingers.
This would tear it all down. And Bobbie? He’d lose everything—status, reputation, power.
A faint smile crept across my face as I queued the final email. Everything was set to detonate in a few days—right around the time my body would be discovered floating in the river.
An apparent suicide. A heartbreaking tragedy. And every suspicion would fall squarely on Bobbie.
I leaned back in the chair, taking a long, steady breath. I was almost free.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from the agency: Everything is ready.
The escape plan was fully in motion. A brand-new identity, a fresh beginning. By the time Bobbie pieced everything together, I’d have disappeared like smoke.
But I still had one more event to attend. The banquet.
Bobbie had arranged the whole thing as a grand gesture—an event meant to honor me, his “inspiring deaf wife,” and showcase his noble support for causes like mine. A sham. A performance.
But the perfect backdrop for his public collapse.
Another buzz. A message from Bobbie.Why are all my cards frozen? I can’t make any purchases.
My smirk widened.
What were you trying to buy? I typed back. His reply came within seconds.
A gift. Something special for the banquet.
Liar.
I already knew where he’d been. I had someone tailing him. Earlier today, Bobbie had spent hours at an upscale jewelry store, choosing an extravagant piece—not for me, but for Viola.
I played dumb.
Oh, I thought it was fraud. I’ll unfreeze them.
No fraud. Just fix it, he snapped.
I paused, fingers hovering over the screen. Then typed:
Of course. I’ll take care of it.
Then came another message.
Yeah. I’ll pick something up for Viola too. Don’t forget to attend her birthday party later, okay?
Viola’s party. I had nearly forgotten about it. I hadn’t planned to go, but not showing up would raise alarms. I had to keep playing my part a little longer. Smile. Nods. Pretend. Just a little longer.
Viola’s mansion was buzzing with life. Guests dressed to the nines, laughter ringing through the gardens. But it was all a façade. The people, the place—nothing was real.
Bobbie was already there, mingling. Leonard was too. Which meant Bobbie had no excuse to abandon me. He stayed close, his displeasure nearly radiating off him.
He clutched his glass tightly, voice low and bitter. “What a fucking joke. Watching them together. That should’ve been me.”
I said nothing. Just kept smiling, nodding politely at guests who cast pitiful glances my way.
“Poor girl. Can’t imagine not being able to hear anything.”
“She’s so pretty. Such a shame.”
“Bobbie’s such a hero for standing by her.”
I held my smile. Pretended I was oblivious. Pretended I didn’t catch Bobbie’s muttered sigh: “Now I’m stuck with this deaf woman.”
I had perfected the art of pretending—but not for much longer. The act was suffocating. I stepped outside, away from the party, toward the pool. The night air was cool and calming. I counted down the hours until I could finally disappear.
Then her voice cut through the quiet, sharp and mocking.
“Oh, you poor thing,” Viola said sweetly as she joined me. Her smile was dazzling, but her tone was dripping with venom. “Do you really think Bobbie’s in love with you?”
I didn’t flinch.
She took a leisurely sip from her champagne. “Please. He’s in love with me. Just like Leonard is. I’ve got them both wrapped around my finger, darling. You? You’re just background noise.”
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.
“You’ll always be the one who gets cheated on. The one who’s tossed aside. As long as I’m here, you’ll always lose,” she whispered, sweetly venomous. “I used to envy you. But then I figured it out…”
She leaned closer, her breath thick with alcohol.
“I can take everything from you.”
I swallowed the fury rising in my throat. Then slowly raised my hands, feigning confusion, pretending to sign.
Viola laughed. “Pathetic,” she sneered. “You can’t even hear me, can you?”
She grabbed my wrist. And before I could react, she shoved me.
The world tilted. Ice-cold water surged up to meet me.
I sank.
My arms flailed wildly, panic seizing me. I couldn’t swim. The water was too dense, too powerful.
I heard another splash—Viola had lost her footing, too. But she could swim. I couldn’t.
I fought desperately to rise, lungs burning. Distant, muffled voices echoed above me.
“Help! Somebody help!”
Viola’s cries. She was the one being saved.
Then I saw a shadow move over the water.
Bobbie.
I reached out, silently pleading. He saw me. He knew I couldn’t swim.
And still—
He jumped in.
For Viola.
Not for me.
The weight of betrayal was heavier than the water that pulled me under.
