Chapter 2

The next morning, Amelia woke up before David. She went into her pastry studio, the one he had designed for her as a wedding gift. It was a beautiful space, all white marble and stainless steel. It used to be her sanctuary. Now, it felt tainted.

She picked up a rolling pin, its weight familiar and comforting in her hands. On the counter was a framed photo of them from their honeymoon in Italy, both of them laughing, covered in flour after a disastrous pizza-making class. It was one of her favorite memories.

With a sudden, violent motion, she brought the rolling pin down, shattering the glass. The sound echoed in the quiet room. She didn' t stop. She smashed the frame again and again, splintering the wood, until the smiling faces were gone, buried under a pile of broken glass and wood. It was a small act of destruction, but it felt like a release.

"Amelia? What was that?" David called from the bedroom.

She quickly swept the debris into a dustpan. "Nothing, honey! Just dropped a bowl."

He came into the kitchen a few minutes later, dressed in an expensive suit. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her neck. "I have a big surprise for you at the party tomorrow night. You' re going to love it."

His touch made her skin crawl. She could smell that faint, foreign perfume on his jacket again, a ghost of his lover clinging to him. She had to force herself not to flinch.

"I' m sure I will," she said, her voice even. She turned in his arms, a bright smile on her face. "I have a surprise for you too." She gestured to a beautifully wrapped gift box on the counter. It was large and elegant, tied with a silk ribbon.

"For me? But it' s your birthday," he said, looking genuinely surprised.

"I know. But I wanted to give you something special. Don't open it until the party, okay? It' s part of my speech." The box was heavy. It contained every piece of evidence she had collected. The earring, printouts of their text messages, a USB drive with the damning voicemail, and his signed copy of the prenup. Her grand finale.

He was completely oblivious. He thought she was planning a sentimental tribute. He had spent the last week talking to their friends, telling them about the "huge surprise" he had for her, ensuring a big turnout. He was so proud of himself, so sure of his own cleverness. He had no idea he was inviting everyone to his own funeral.

Amelia was meticulously planning her own disappearance. She had already spoken to her loyal assistant, Lisa, who was helping her get new identification and a one-way ticket to Norway. Her plan was elaborate, but she was a pastry chef. She understood precision, timing, and the importance of following a recipe. This was just a different kind of creation.

The day of the party, David was in high spirits. He kept trying to relive their old traditions. "Remember our fifth anniversary? We danced in the living room to that old song." He put on the music, pulling her close.

She let him lead her around the room, her body stiff in his arms. He hummed along, a happy, clueless fool.

"Do you even remember the name of the song, David?" she asked quietly.

He faltered. "Of course, I do. It' s... uh... it' s our song." He couldn' t remember. He had forgotten the small, intimate details that once made up their life together. They were just props to him now, things to be used to maintain the facade of a perfect marriage.

Later, as they were getting ready, he held up two ties. "Which one, babe? The blue one you got me, or this one?"

She looked at the second tie, a silk one she had never seen before. It was undoubtedly a gift from Sarah. "The blue one," she said, her voice flat.

He put on the blue tie but kept the other one on the dresser. He kissed her forehead. "You look breathtaking. Everyone is going to be so happy for us tonight."

The irony was so thick she could have choked on it. Her smile in the mirror was a perfect, beautiful mask. Inside, she was just counting down the hours.

A friend of theirs, a guest who had arrived early, saw the gift box on the table. "Oh, is that for David? You' re so sweet, Amelia, getting him a gift on your birthday."

"I just wanted to show him how much he means to me," she replied, her words dripping with a double meaning only she understood. The weight of her secret plan was immense, but the thought of the look on his face when he opened that box gave her all the strength she needed. The show was about to begin.