The heavy door of the study stood slightly open. My heart pounded as I slipped inside like a shadow.
From the pocket of my jeans, I pulled a tiny video recording device. I had already connected it to my phone, the only thing I needed was to plant it somewhere hidden.
My hands moved swiftly as I tucked it deep behind a row of dusty encyclopedias but not too deep to block it's camera.
I clicked it on.
A green light blinked once, then disappeared.
My gaze swept the study.
Where would they keep the Lawyer’s card?
There!, I gasped as I sighted the crystal bowl of miscellaneous papers and receipts that sat on the sideboard.
I searched through them. There it was.
A plain business card, almost hidden between two old invitations. I took a picture of the front and back and put it back carefully.
Then my eyes drifted to the Safe. Chris's safe that I had watched him open a thousand times pretending not to notice the password.
Inside, I found documents; forged psychiatric evaluations, legal papers declaring me “mentally unfit”, hospital admittance forms, already signed.
They planned to ship me off like some unwanted furniture!, My chest ached from heartbreak as I stared at the papers in horror.
I slipped a few papers into my hoodie. These were enough to blow their scheme wide open. Then I closed the safe like nothing ever happened.
I returned to my room just as Chris and Mrs. Helena returned.
The evening was alive with golden candlelight, laughter, and expensive wine.
Guests filled the grand dining room, family friends, associates, neighbors from their gated community.
I moved among them like a hostess, my pale satin dress clinging to my body, with a fake smile plastered on my face.
Chris made his rounds, arm draped loosely around my waist.
Mrs Helena floated nearby, beaming like a proud matriarch.
Madison lingered close too — wearing a tasteful, sickly-sweet smile.
As we were all seated, having dinner, I tried to cut my chicken and Landon reached across the table and deliberately knocked over a full glass of red wine into my lap.
Gasps broke out.
I froze, crimson liquid soaking through the delicate silk of my dress. The dress Susan had gifted me.
Chris jumped up, dabbing my cloth awkwardly with a napkin, murmuring fake apologies, acting like he's a loving husband.
"Oh, darling. Are you okay?"
Poor thing, she's always been... so sensitive." Mrs. Helena added, just loud enough for the nearest guests to hear.
Landon piped up, voice sweet but laced with mischief; "Maybe Mommy needs a bib! She's always spilling things or forgetting stuff!"
The table erupted in uncomfortable laughter.
My fingers curled around my fork until my knuckles turned white but my smile never slipped.
"It’s alright, sweetheart," I said softly, wiping myself off.
"Mistakes happen, don't they? Even when people think they're being clever."
My eyes flickered briefly, coldly, dangerously and only Madison caught it, and she stiffened.
"Everyone, if I could just have a moment, I want to propose a toast to my beautiful wife", Chris said loudly, smiling.
"Selina has been… patient. Even when she forgets what day it is".
I watched as laughter rippled across the room.
Mrs. Helena leaned in from her seat beside me, smiling sweetly for the guests.
"Darling, do you remember when you almost missed this dinner because you thought it was Wednesday today?"
Guests continued exchanging amused glances.
I knew whispers about my supposed “mental struggles” were already floating just beneath the surface.
Across from me, Madison rubbed my hands sweetly.
"Ignore them, babe. They're just teasing."
But her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, hidden under mascara and lies. I nodded faintly, numb inside.
Towards the end of the dinner. I moved through the bustling house, smiling, thanking guests, pretending to be the beloved wife at my own anniversary dinner.
Inside, my mind was panicking.
Suddenly my phone buzzed.
I pulled it out casually, pretending to check a harmless text, my heart pounding.
It was the video recorder app.
Playing.
Soft at first. A scrape of movement. A wet messy sound. I tilted the phone closer to my ear as I edged into a quiet hallway.
Then the voices hit me like knives:
Madison giggling breathlessly
"God, you taste so good when you're evil."
Chris half moaning,
"Tomorrow morning, it'll be over. Doctor's coming at eight. We'll tell him she started hallucinating tonight. Easy as pie."
Madison was laughing , "She won’t even remember half of it baby."
"I drugged her tonight."
"That glass I handed to her?, I had it laced with Scopolamine. She's gonna be drooling like a lunatic soon. In a few hours, she will be totally acting out of character, confused and disoriented".
"By morning, they'll lock her away for good, before she even realizes".
My stomach dropped to my knees.
My fingers tightened painfully on the phone. I had used that glass and gulped down all the wine I poured into it without thinking.
I started breathing heavily and fast. My fingers were shaking in fear. I needed to get out of here. Not later in the night but right now!.
