Chapter 3 A Life built on Lies

Naomi stepped out of the car, thanking the driver with a weary smile. She turned to face the house, a sense of dread mingling with hope.

Why would her grandmother appear to her with such a warning if it wasn't true? But a part of her clung desperately to the belief in her husband, Dominic, and best friend Vivian's loyalty.

With a deep sigh she opened the gate and walked towards the main door. As she stepped inside, the familiar warmth and comfort of her home enveloped her, momentarily easing her doubts.

She smiled, trying to push away the nagging thoughts. The house was quiet, almost eerily so, and Naomi's footsteps echoed softly as she made her way down the hall. She paused at the doorway of the living room.

Hearing muffled voices coming from the master bedroom, her heart began to pound as she recognized Dominic's voice. Curiosity and an annoying fear propelled her forward.

She moved silently, her breathing shallow, as she approached the slightly ajar bedroom door. She heard Vivian's unmistakable laughter, followed by Dominic's deep voice.

Naomi's heart clenched. She pushed the door open a fraction more, peeking inside. The sight before her was like a knife to the heart. There on the bed were Dominic and Vivian.

Entangled in an intimate embrace, Dominic's hands roamed over Vivian's body as she arched towards him, their expressions filled with passion and abandon.

Naomi's breath caught in her throat. She felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under her. Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind.

Go home and see for yourself. Tears blurred her vision as she watched the scene unfold, disbelief and betrayal crashing over her. Her body felt heavy, her legs weak, but she couldn't tear her eyes away.

The people she trusted most in the world were betraying her in the worst possible way.

Dominic's voice broke through her stunned silence. "You're amazing, Vivian. I can't believe we had to hide this for so long."

Vivian's laugh was soft, seductive. "Soon Naomi will be out of the picture, and we won't have to hide anymore."

Their voices, once comforting, now dripped with betrayal and malice.

"I can't wait to finally be your legal wife," Vivian said, her voice filled with twisted joy. "Josh won't have to be a bastard anymore."

Naomi's heart stopped. What? What did she just say? Josh-Vivian's son-was Dominic's child.

The room spun as Naomi tried to comprehend the depth of the betrayal. For how long had these deceits been going on?

Her mind reeled, trying to piece together the lies and secrets that had unraveled her life. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the two people she had trusted most in the world entwined in their treachery.

She couldn't believe it.

"Honey, let's wait until she's finally dead." Dominic's voice was cold, calculating. "I was shocked when she told me the babies were twins. How come the pills didn't kill the other baby?"

Naomi gasped into her palm, her body trembling. So they were responsible for her miscarriages all along. Her grandmother had been right.

These were the people she had trusted, loved, and depended on, and they had been plotting against her all this time. Rage and heartbreak surged through her, giving her the strength to confront them.

She couldn't let this continue.

With determined steps she stormed into the bedroom. The sight of them together, their expressions of shock and guilt as they noticed her, only fueled her anger.

"How could you?" Naomi's voice shook with emotion, but her eyes burned with fury. "How could you do this to me?"

Dominic and Vivian scrambled to disentangle themselves, their faces pale.

"Naomi, it's not what it looks like," Dominic stammered, trying to approach her.

"Not what it looks like?" Naomi laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face. "I heard everything. Everything! You planned to kill me, to take my life and my children.

And Josh-he's your son, Dominic. How long have you been lying to me?"

Vivian's face twisted with anger and disdain. "You were always so naïve, Naomi. It was easy to fool you."

Naomi's heart shattered further at the cruel words. "I trusted you-both of you-and you betrayed me in the worst way possible."

Dominic tried to reach for her, but Naomi stepped back, her eyes blazing with a strength she didn't know she had. "Don't touch me. I want you out of my life-both of you."

Dominic's face hardened. "And where will you go, Naomi? You're sick. You need me."

"I'd rather die alone than live another day with your lies," Naomi spat, her voice filled with fight, with no room for argument.

Vivian rolled her eyes and scoffed. "What? It's not like anyone wanted to die with you anyway. It's obvious you'll die alone."

Naomi's heart clenched at Vivian's cold words. "Vivian-you really... you have been having an affair with my husband?" Her voice was filled with hurt and disbelief. Her eyes widened in realization.

"The ring? He was the one that gave it to you. Right now I understand everything. For how long has this been going on?" Her voice shook with rage and betrayal.

Vivian smirked. "It seems you're not that dumb after all. Yes, Dominic was the one who proposed to me, and we were behind all your miscarriages. This affair started two nights after your wedding. Crazy, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll fill you in on every little detail of our affair if you're interested in knowing.

I informed Dominic that I was carrying his child on the day of your first-year wedding anniversary. Remember the silly excuse he told you about how he couldn't make it home because of an issue? It was all a lie. He was with me at the Grand Plaza Hotel, and we were celebrating my pregnancy.

Oh Naomi, you're just so stupid. You even treated my son like he was yours."

Naomi's face twisted with a mixture of shock, pain, and betrayal. Her eyes darted between Dominic and Vivian, her mind reeling from the enormity of their deceit.

These two people who she had trusted with her life had been conspiring against her all along.

They were nothing but heartless, deceitful monsters.