Chapter 3

I gave him a ten-minute head start before I slipped out of the party. I took the service elevator down to the garage, my movements quick and silent. My own car was parked in a private section. I got in and pulled out onto the street.

It was easy to find his car. He drove a custom sports car that was impossible to miss. I kept a safe distance, my headlights off. He was driving fast, heading away from the office district and toward the newer, upscale residential towers.

He pulled into the underground garage of a sleek, modern apartment building. I parked across the street and watched.

A few minutes later, Kandy Morris stepped out of the elevator lobby. Her professional demeanor was gone. She was wearing a silk robe, her hair down. She looked impatient.

When Damon's car pulled up, she ran to him, her expression a mix of pouting and pleasure.

"You took forever," she complained, her voice playful.

Damon got out of the car, a wide grin on his face. He pulled her into his arms.

"I had to get away from the party," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I had a surprise for someone special."

He gestured vaguely toward the sky, where the last of the fireworks were fading. "Did you like them?"

"They were for me?" she asked, her eyes widening. "I thought they were for... her."

"I was thinking of you the whole time," he said, kissing her deeply. "I promise, Kandy. Just a little more time. Once this deal is closed, I'll handle things."

I sat in my car, the engine off, watching them in the rearview mirror. My own words from years ago echoed in my mind. The anniversary fireworks. I had told him it was too extravagant, that we should save the money. He had insisted. Now I knew why. The grand romantic gesture wasn't for his wife. It was for his mistress.

How could I have been so stupid?

Kandy wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his.

"I don't want to wait, Damon," she purred. "I get jealous thinking about you with her."

He chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "You have nothing to be jealous of."

"Then prove it," she whispered, her hands sliding down his chest. "Show me who you really want."

He didn't need any more encouragement. He picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist, and carried her toward his car.

She let out a little shriek of laughter.

He pushed her against the passenger door, his mouth finding hers again. The windows were tinted, but I could see their silhouettes moving together, a frantic, desperate dance.

I sank down in my seat, my body hidden in the shadows. A single tear escaped and traced a cold path down my cheek. I wiped it away angrily.

Seeing it once in a photo was one thing. Seeing it live was another. The betrayal felt fresh, a raw wound ripped open again.

I remembered his promises, his vows. All lies.

What did he see in her? She was young, ambitious, and obvious. Was that all it took? A new, shiny toy to replace the old, familiar one?

I forced myself to take a slow, deep breath. Then another. I would not fall apart. Not here. Not now.

I had a plan. I had a way out.

Just forty-seven more hours. The thought was a lifeline. I would endure this. I would get through tonight, and then I would be free.

I didn't go back to the party. I drove home to our large, empty house. The house we had built together, filled with memories that were now tainted. I went straight to our bedroom and lay down, not bothering to change out of my dress.

I must have fallen asleep, because I was startled awake by the sound of the bedroom door opening. It was almost 3 a.m.

Damon stood in the doorway, his silhouette backlit by the hallway light. He looked tense.

"Alana? You're here. I was so worried."

He rushed to the bed, relief flooding his face when he saw me.

"I came back to the party and you were gone. You didn't answer your phone. I thought something had happened."

I almost laughed. Worried. He was only worried because his perfect alibi, his loving wife, had disappeared.

"You got back late," I said, my voice flat. "Must have been a big problem with the server."

"It was," he said, not missing a beat. "A real mess. But it's all fixed now."

He sat on the edge of the bed, taking my hand. His touch felt disgusting.

I was getting good at this, I realized. Lying. Pretending. He had taught me well.

He looked so relieved that I was fine, that his perfect world was still intact. He pulled me into a hug, burying his face in my hair.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," he whispered. "If I ever lost you, I wouldn't know what to do. I'd search the entire world for you."

I stayed perfectly still in his arms, his words wrapping around me like a cage.

Don't worry, Damon, I thought. Soon, you'll get the chance to prove it.