When he snapped out of it, Eric turned to me in shock.
“Honey, what are you doing? Rachel’s your best friend—how can you just let her walk into disaster?”
“You know David’s temper. If he catches her in bed with someone, she’s finished—don’t you…”
I cut him off, voice icy:
“You seem awfully concerned about Rachel.”
His expression turned awkward. “I’m not worried about her. I just think—you two are so close. Sure, what she did was wrong, but we can’t just stand by and watch her crash and burn, right?”
He was frantic—whether for Rachel, or because he feared David would take his anger out on us and cut ties with him, I didn’t know.
I sneered inwardly. “If you want to help her, you’d better go now. You heard where she is—Holiday Inn, not far from here. Don’t go to the wrong place.”
Seeing I was determined not to intervene, Eric sighed helplessly and rushed out the door.
I finished packing, then waited quietly at home.
Around seven, the front door was kicked open violently.
David stormed in with a dozen thugs.
Behind them trailed Rachel, weeping, and Eric, his face dark.
David’s eyes blazed with fury. He strode over and slapped me across the face.
“You filthy bitch!” he roared. “How dare you set up my wife! I’m going to kill you today.”
He knocked me to the floor, then kicked me several times.
Crying out in pain, I shouted, “I didn’t frame her, it was she—”
Before I could finish, Rachel lunged at me, slapping me hard across the face, sobbing with fake indignation.
“Grace, I must have been blind to ever call you a friend! I treated you like a sister, always cared for you, and you—jealous of my husband—you drugged my drink, had me humiliated, and even recorded it! Do you even have a conscience?”
“If it weren’t for my husband trusting me, I’d never wash away the shame!”
“Our friendship ends here. From now on, we’re nothing.”
Eric rushed over then, kicking me too, glaring at me in fury.
“Grace, I never imagined you’d be this kind of person! You fooled me so well. If I had known what a vicious woman you were, I’d never have married you. I want a divorce—you don’t deserve to be my wife!”
I stared at their hypocrisy through the pain, grinding my teeth.
“I’m innocent!” I shouted.
David slapped me again, yanking me up by the hair.
“Innocent?” he snarled. “Your husband and your best friend are both accusing you. Do you really think anyone will believe you? Still playing tough? You’re just a worthless bitch.”
“Killing you outright would be too easy. I’ll destroy your name, make you the rat everyone spits on.”
