Chapter 1 The Night My Life Ended
ELAINE
I came home earlier than usual, beaming with excitement as I planned to surprise my husband.
For days, I had battled mood swings, increased appetite and dizziness, but I didn’t think much of it until I realised my period was late.
Three years of marriage to my college sweetheart and love of my life, Chad Stevens, had taught me to manage my expectations and not assume that every missed or late period meant that I was pregnant, but today, though I had been doubtful, the doctor confirmed I was four weeks pregnant.
“Oh, he’s home already,” I murmured when I spotted Chad’s car in the driveway as I parked my car.
My heart raced as I stepped out of the car and hurried inside, barely able to contain my joy. To think we had begun giving up hope after several failed IVFs and undergoing different treatments. I could imagine Chad’s reaction to the news; how he’d smile, wrap his arms around me and kiss me like the world was ending.
However, the moment I stepped into the living room, all my imaginations shattered.
“Harder… yes, baby… just like that,” Angelica, my best friend of twenty years, moaned loudly as my husband fucked her relentlessly on our couch, both of them slick with sweat and lost in pleasure.
My bag slipped from my fingers and hit the floor. I stood frozen, mouth agape, my mind refusing to process what my eyes were seeing as tears welled up and blurred my vision.
The noise caught their attention, and although they appeared surprised to see me, they didn’t seem bothered by my presence.
“How could you do this to me?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Angelica rolled her eyes and reached for her clothes scattered across the floor, while Chad casually pulled up his boxers and walked toward me menacingly.
“Don’t feel bad now, Elaine,” Chad said, a dirty smirk playing around his lips. He continued coldly, “I mean, you don’t think I’ve ever actually loved you, do you?”
“What does that mean?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“The one I’ve always loved is Angelica, and unlike you who is barren, she is pregnant with my child, so I can’t keep pretending to care about you or this sham of a marriage,” Chad stated firmly.
The tears I had been holding back came rushing down my cheeks in torrents. “Then why did you marry me?” I asked in a voice that sounded more like a whisper.
He shrugged. “Why else do you think? It was just for your money. You mean nothing to me. You never have!” he thundered.
I turned to Angelica, my heart breaking. “And you? Why would you do this to me? I trusted you. I thought you were my best friend; the sister I’ve never had.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed, glaring at me with pure disdain. “You’ve always acted like you were better than everyone else. I tolerated you because there are a lot of advantages attached to the Ferguson name. Now, I don’t have to pretend anymore,” she snapped.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my chest aching, but I knew I had to be strong or at least pretend to be. “I truly never imagined you’d both betray me like this and still feel no remorse. But it’s fine. Perhaps, one day, you’ll come to understand the wrongness of your actions, but for now, just leave my house and stay away from me. I don’t want to see either of you when I get back,” I managed to say without falling apart, then turned to leave.
“Don’t worry,” Chad said behind me. “You won’t.”
Before I could process his words, I heard the cock of a gun, and immediately, pain exploded through my back as a bullet tore into me.
My life flashed before my eyes as I collapsed, hitting the floor with a sickening thud, with blood spreading rapidly beneath me.
“The story will be that you stole the company’s funds and ran away with your lover,” Chad said calmly as he stood over me. “I’m going to take over everything you love and hold dear.”
“You… won’t… get away with this,” I gasped, my voice breaking.
“Yes, we will,” Angelica said, snatching the gun from Chad and striking my head hard with it.
After that, all I saw was darkness.
