Chapter 1: The Anniversary That Wasn't Mine
"Lauren, get Vanessa a glass of wine. And stop looking so miserable. You're embarrassing me.""
My husband said it while sitting at the head of the dining table I'd spent six hours preparing for our eighth wedding anniversary.
For a moment, I honestly thought I'd misunderstood him.
The candles were burning. White roses filled the crystal vase. A roasted turkey rested beneath golden herbs, and two bottles of expensive Cabernet Sauvignon stood beside the plates.
I'd even worn the navy-blue dress Marcus once told me made me look beautiful.
But Marcus wasn't looking at me.
He was looking at the woman sitting in my chair.
Vanessa Hayes.
His mistress.
"Marcus," I said quietly, "why is she here?""
He loosened his tie and poured himself a drink.
"Because I invited her.""
"Tonight is our anniversary.""
"And?"" He shrugged.
"We can still celebrate. Vanessa happens to be in the neighborhood.""
Vanessa crossed her legs beneath the table.
"Oh, don't be upset, Lauren. I didn't know this was such a private occasion.""
Her smile suggested otherwise.
I looked at the bracelet around her wrist.
A delicate gold chain with a small diamond centerpiece.
My stomach tightened.
Three weeks earlier, Marcus had told me he'd purchased something special for our anniversary. He'd refused to show me the receipt, saying he wanted the surprise to remain a surprise.
I'd discovered the empty jewelry box in his car yesterday.
Now the bracelet was on another woman's wrist.
"That's beautiful," I said.
Vanessa lifted her hand.
"Thank you! Marcus has wonderful taste.""
Marcus smiled.
"She deserves nice things.""
I stared at him.
Apparently, eight years of marriage hadn't earned me the same consideration.
"Lauren," he said, snapping his fingers, "the wine.""
I remained standing.
"Your guest can pour her own wine.""
His expression hardened.
"Don't start.""
Vanessa gave a little laugh.
"Marcus, maybe I should leave. I don't want to ruin your special night.""
"You're not going anywhere," he replied.
Then he pulled out my chair for her, even though she was already sitting in it.
"Actually, Vanessa, you're staying. Lauren needs to understand that not everything revolves around her.""
I felt something inside me go strangely quiet.
Not broken.
Not even angry.
Just quiet.
I turned toward the kitchen.
Behind me, Vanessa whispered something, and Marcus laughed.
I could hear the familiar sound of their wineglasses touching.
My phone vibrated against the kitchen counter.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
*I'm outside. Are we still doing this?*
I glanced through the window.
A black Mercedes was parked near the driveway.
I typed back.
*Yes. Come in.*
Then I opened the refrigerator and removed another bottle of wine.
My hands weren't shaking anymore.
When I returned to the dining room, Vanessa was examining the photographs on the mantel.
"Lauren, is this your wedding picture?"" she asked.
"Yes.""
She tilted her head.
"You looked so young.""
Marcus chuckled.
"Eight years changes people.""
I placed the wine on the table.
"Some people change more than others.""
His smile disappeared.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
"Nothing, sweetheart.""
I walked toward the front door.
The doorbell rang.
Marcus frowned.
"Who the hell is that?""
"Another guest.""
"Another guest? Lauren, I specifically told you—"
I opened the door.
Daniel Hayes stood on the porch.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a charcoal suit. His expression was calm, but his eyes looked exhausted.
In his left hand was a dark leather envelope.
"Good evening, Lauren," he said.
"Thank you for coming, Daniel.""
He glanced past me.
"Is she here?""
"She's in the dining room.""
He nodded.
"Then I suppose it's time.""
We walked inside together.
The moment Vanessa saw him, the wineglass slipped from her fingers.
It struck the hardwood floor and shattered.
"Daniel?""
Marcus shot to his feet.
"What is he doing here?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
He looked at Vanessa, then at Marcus.
Finally, he looked at the anniversary decorations.
"Interesting," he said.
"You two seem to have made yourselves very comfortable.""
Vanessa hurried toward him.
"Baby, please. Let me explain.""
Daniel stepped away before she could touch him.
"Don't call me that.""
Marcus moved between them.
"Look, man, whatever you've heard, this is a private matter.""
Daniel placed the leather envelope on the dining table.
"You're right, Marcus. It is private.""
He looked directly at me.
"But Lauren deserves to know what you've both been planning.""
My throat tightened.
"What is in that envelope?""
Daniel opened it.
The first document was a bank statement.
The second was another bank statement.
The third was a printed transaction history.
I recognized the account immediately.
My joint savings account with Marcus.
Daniel pointed to a highlighted number.
"$147,000," he said.
"That's how much has disappeared from your marriage.""
I stared at the transfers.
Every payment had gone to an account belonging to Vanessa.
"Marcus?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Lauren, this isn't what you think.""
Daniel removed another document.
It was a life insurance application.
Two million dollars.
My name appeared beneath the words INSURED PERSON.
Vanessa's name appeared beneath BENEFICIARY.
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
"Why," I whispered, "does Vanessa get two million dollars if I die?""
Nobody answered.
Then Daniel placed his finger on the signature line.
"Because someone has already started making arrangements.""
May you like
And when I looked at the signature, I realized it wasn't mine.
It was my husband's.
