Chapter 1 The Death

Chapter 1: The Death

I never saw it coming, that was my biggest mistake of my life.

That's what haunts me the most of all, the fact that I remained blind in love while all the signs were there blaring neon lights in front of my face but I refused to see it.

I could remember all the signs vividly that showed me something was wrong- it started with David working later than usual, the secretive phone calls that he always has at odd times of the day and never in my presence, the way he'd pull away from my touch when I reached for him.

But I'd refused to see it, convinced myself it was just a rough day at work, that it had nothing to do in our marriage.

Until I felt the cold sharp end of the knife in my stomach.

It was a Tuesday evening when I was killed in my house. I remember how it happened. I had been standing in the kitchen after making dinner which was already set out on the table cooling, , the twins were upstairs in their room playing video games.

David had texted me that he'd be late again and I shouldn't wait up for him. No surprise there.

The doorbell was pressed alerting me that someone was at the door while I was pouring myself a glass of wine.

I wasn't expecting anyone except if David managed to finish earlier and had returned, I doubted that thought because he had a home key, but I answered anyway.

Jessica was standing on my front porch, smiling that smile of hers like we were best friends and knew each other intimately. I'd only met her a number of times before, if I remembered correctly she was David's "old friend from high school" who'd recently moved back to town.

She was everything I wasn't, young, gorgeous, with a career while I was a mere housewife.

"Caroline! Sorry to drop by without seeking an invite before hand," she said, as she walked inside without waiting for an invitation from me. I closed the door like that and walked in after her as she continued speaking

"I just needed to talk to David about something. Is he home?"

"He's working late," I answered as I held on tight to my wine glass, my only support system now. "Again."

Something was on her face, but it passes away too quickly for me to see it. Was it amusement? Pity? I couldn't tell at all.

"Oh, that's too bad," she said, following me to the kitchen, as I narrowed my eyes but kept quiet.

"I guess I'll just have to talk to you instead."

I should have noticed that something was wrong there. I should have seen how she kept looking around, making sure we were alone. I should have noticed why she was blocking the door preventing anyone from entering and leaving the kitchen.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, turning to look at her after I dropped my glass down on the kitchen counter.

Jessica's smile shifted from something cheery to something cruel and hard as she scoffed loudly.

"You know, Caroline, I've tried to be patient. I really have, more than you know. But this is getting ridiculous."

"What are you talking about?"

"David and I have given you so many chances to just walk away from this marriage," she said, moving closer towards me as she continued shaking her head in pity. "But you keep hanging on to this marriage...this farce, pretending everything's fine when it's not. It's pathetic."

She laughed seeing the genuine shock on my face as I tried to understand what she was talking about.

"Oh my God. You didn't know?" She shook her head in disbelief and happiness as if she was amused by this situation.

"After all this time, you still had no idea?" She said bringing out the knife from her purse.

"David doesn't want you anymore," she said, her voice suddenly sounding very calm and collected as I took a step back out of fear trying to understand what was going on. I looked around but there was nothing that I could use.

. "The boys already love me more. You're just in the way now." She said as I backed up against the counter scared as I tried to reason with her. "Jessica, whatever you think is happening-"

"What's happening is that I'm taking your life," she interrupted me, as she got angry and snapped. "Your husband, your kids, your house. All of it should have been mine from the beginning."

I reached for the phone, but she was faster. The pain was burning as the knife found its mark. I remember gasping, looking down at the spreading red stain on my shirt with disbelief.

"Mom? Who's at the door?"

Ethan's voice was loud enough to be heard from upstairs, sounding so innocent and unaware of what was going on. Jessica's eyes moved to the ceiling, then back to me.

"Tell them everything's fine," she said, pressing the knife harder.

"Everything's fine, honey!" I called out, my voice breaking from pain and fear. "Just talking with Jessica!"

"Is Jessica staying for dinner?" Liam asked loudly this time.

Jessica smiled, as she twisted the knife deeper. "Tell them yes."

"Yes, she's-" I couldn't finish as pain was too much for me as my body seemed to be lagging from pain.

I remember falling, feeling the cold tile against my cheek.

Jessica was standing over me, watching without any guilt on her face as she watched me dying.

"You should thank me," she whispered. "David was going to leave you anyway. At least this way, the boys won't have to deal with shared custody."

I tried to speak, but only blood came out. My last thoughts were of my boys-would they even miss me at all? Or would Jessica simply step into my place, becoming the mother they wanted?

As I was beginning to lose consciousness , I saw someone at the back door. A man's face, familiar somehow, his eyes widening in horror.

The last thing I remember thinking was: I wish I had known. I wish I could go back and save myself.

Then nothing.