a Bak

t kind of question is that, Eliana? You were in

zzed with news of the accident. He' d rushed here, frantic with worry. He' d barely made it,

t lies, all designed to paint him as the devoted husband. But I had seen the Tesla, heard

voice flat. "Was she with you

e was... at a client dinner." He stifled a yawn, running a hand through hi

weariness, not of body, but of soul. I di

ritation in his eyes. He ignored it. It buzzed again, insistently. He sighed, looked at me, then silenced it

bs flying across the screen. His face, already pale, turned a shade whiter. He stood up abruptly. "I... I have to go. Someth

ou feeling, my love?" She rushed to my side, her hand immediately on my forehead. "You don't have

I said, my voice weak.

wed. "Why, Eliana?

te," I said. "In t

"What?! How

I said, a bitter laugh escaping my l

mix of confusion and disbelief. "Wher

saw Bridgette earlier, holding a medical report. And Jacob

e. "Eliana... are you serious? But

erile. He was diagnosed years ago. We both were. We tried everything,

e could never have. I had accepted it, had even tried to comfort him, to tell him that our love was enough

d in her eyes. "Oh, Eliana," she breathed, "this changes everything. Everything!" She pulled out her own phone, her fingers flyin

was there, a vase of fresh flowers in her hand. "Good mornin

at's the status on th

her gaze dropping to her hands. "Eliana... I saw som

heavy thud. "Wha

ngs in. She even had the audacity to ask me to help her unpack." Her eyes blazed

her into our home, while I was lying in a hospital bed. He had alw

d, my voice flat. "I understa

e espionage. The feed showed Bridgette, smug and radiant, directing movers, her laughter echoing through the halls of my

o re-install all the hidden cameras. And make s

na, my love, I'm so sorry. I know I shouldn't have left. But it was a crisis. Are you a

ice soft, almost sympathetic. "You're

he most understanding woman in the world! I love you so

barely a whisper against his che

he double meaning, but quickly dismissed it. He was too relieved, too

te was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through her phone, a smirk on her face. Sh

aven't eaten a thing! You need to keep up your strength. For our b

ce petulant. "But I just can't stomach anyt

e. Our little one will be here soon. And then

iumphant gleam in her e

s voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper. "Listen, everyone. Bridgette is stay

n who had worked for us for year

me, systematically. But he was about to learn that some th

serene. "It's time. Send out the invitations. For the