Eight months pregnant, I went to find Julian, my husband, who was out fishing.
Instead, I stumbled upon him wrapped in the arms of my best friend, Bethany.
Julian, when are you finally going to divorce that hag? My baby can’t wait.
Relax, I’ve got everything planned. Her delivery day will be her death day!
“Then we’ll take her fifty million dollars in lottery winnings and settle overseas!”
Their laughter echoed, and I felt like I’d been plunged into an ice bath.
My husband of ten years, my best friend of fifteen, both wanted me dead.
If that’s the game they were playing, then they shouldn’t blame me for packaging them up and sending them off first.
Back home, I dialed Isabella, the mob boss.
“Does your offer from last time still stand?”
Isabella ran a high-end club.
Once, a wealthy client offered a fortune to experience my husband.
Isabella could have easily kidnapped Julian and delivered him.
But because I’d saved her once, she’d held back.
Now, hearing I wanted to get rid of my own husband, Isabella asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty,
“I remember you telling me that you and Julian started dating in college. You gave up studying abroad for him, turned down an overseas promotion. You even went through ten rounds of IVF just to give him a baby. You loved him so much. Are you truly willing to let him go like this?”
Her words made my nose prickle, tears threatening to fall.
It was true. We’d been together for ten years since college.
After my parents died in a car crash, he became my only family.
I sacrificed countless opportunities for advancement, all just to be with him.
Even this baby C he said he wanted to experience fatherhood, and because he had a low sperm count, I went through ten rounds of IVF to conceive.
Ten rounds of IVF nearly cost me half my life.
Before, I never felt the hardship, believing that love could overcome anything.
But tonight, I knew he didn’t love me at all. He wished for my death.
“And Bethany, the woman you mentioned? I recall she’s your best friend? You two grew up together. In middle school, you lost three teeth protecting her. She mentioned wanting to buy a house, and you shelled out fifty thousand dollars. Are you really okay with this?”
If it were before, I’d never be able to. But seeing her in Julian’s arms on that hillside, scheming for my money and my life, any affection I had for her vanished.
Seeing my silence, Isabella thought she’d hit a nerve, her tone hardening.
“You’re not actually regretting it, are you…?”
Hearing her voice grow serious, I quickly clarified,
“No regrets, Isabella.”
“I didn’t agree before because I considered them family.”
“Now, they’ve cheated on and betrayed me, planning to kill me and the baby during childbirth to steal my assets. For the sake of my child, how could I ever go soft?”
At this, Isabella’s tone softened, tinged with a shared rage.
“Damn it! My own husband and best friend screwed me over the same way!”
“Don’t worry. That Mr. Ivanov, he’s a cruel man. Anyone who goes to him usually leaves half-dead, if they leave at all. If your husband and best friend end up with him, it’ll be a living hell!”
Hearing that, a weight lifted from my chest.
“Good. Then I’ll trust you. When should we do this?”
“The day after tomorrow. I’ll let you know the exact time.”
Just as I hung up, I heard the lock turn on the front door.
I quickly ended the call and deleted our communication history.
I turned around to see Julian and Bethany, their clothes disheveled, fingers still intertwined.
They probably hadn’t expected me, an early sleeper, to still be awake at 2 AM.
They both jumped, quickly separating their hands.
Julian stammered, “Bethany and I bumped into each other downstairs. She said she had a fight with her boyfriend and came to crash here. I didn’t want to wake you, so I just brought her up.”
Bethany chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, Scarlett, please don’t misunderstand. Julian and I just happened to run into each other. He loves you so much; he’s just being extra nice to me because I’m your friend.”
I looked at their faces, once so dear to me, and now I just felt pure disgust.
Remembering their entwined bodies on the hillside, a wave of nausea hit me, and I rushed to the bathroom to throw up.
Julian, as always, was instantly by my side, pulling out tissues, gently wiping my mouth, playing the perfect concerned husband.
“Scarlett, my darling, have you been overworking yourself lately?”
He tenderly pulled me into his arms.
“It’s my fault, it’s my fault. I won’t go fishing anymore, I won’t make you wait for me again.”
Listening to his false words, smelling his sickening, pungent scent, my hatred surged. I wanted nothing more than to grab a knife from the kitchen and stab him to death.
But the baby in my belly kicked, bringing me back to my senses.
Patience, Scarlett, patience. A moment of weakness could ruin everything.
I forced myself to endure the revulsion, clinging to him and acting like my usual self.
“Oh, Julian, you’re so good to me! How did I get so lucky to find such a wonderful husband?”
“I truly love you so much! Our baby will love you just as much as I do!”
Bethany, standing nearby, clenched her fists.
She couldn’t stand it anymore and cleared her throat, teasing in a ‘good friend’ tone,
“Alright, you two! How many years have you been disgustingly sweet? Aren’t you sick of it yet? I’m practically gagging over here! Think about how this third wheel feels, okay?”
This was the first time I truly observed her expression when she said those words.
Deep in her eyes, jealousy and hatred lurked, a smile plastered on her face that didn’t reach her eyes.
How stupid had I been? I’d never doubted her sincerity, treating her like my second family.
I feigned a shy laugh. “You always tease me!”
“Oh, by the way, didn’t you get a boyfriend?”
“I always hear you two fighting, but I still haven’t seen what he looks like. Bethany, show me a picture!”
As I spoke, I walked over, snatching her phone, ready to scroll through photos.
Bethany was caught off guard. When she finally reacted, she snatched her phone back.
Perhaps realizing her reaction was too strong, she quickly added,
“What’s so great about pictures? I’ll introduce you to him in person next time.”
I had only done it to mess with her, so I didn’t press further, just smiled and went back to the bedroom.
They, on the other hand, thinking I was gone, grew bolder. They started kissing shamelessly in the living room, and Julian’s hand even slipped under her clothes, giving a squeeze.
“Julian, I don’t want you to sleep with her. When she’s asleep, come to my room, okay?”
Julian chuckled, giving her a playful slap on the butt.
“Still craving more?”
“But we haven’t tried it while she’s around. Get ready, wait for me, baby.”
Watching their blatant disrespect, treating me like a complete idiot, I stifled my disgust and sent another message to Isabella.
I can’t wait another day. The sooner, the better.
An hour later, Julian nudged me, made sure I was genuinely asleep, then carefully crept towards the guest room.
In the quiet night, muffled moans from outside the door came in waves.
My heart was torn, my fingernails digging into my palms, leaving streaks of blood.
But none of it compared to the pain of betrayal.
Another hour passed. The door creaked open, and Julian climbed back into bed.
He habitually pulled me into his arms.
I used the excuse of turning over to free myself from his embrace, and while he was sound asleep, I slipped into another guest room.
In the quiet of the night, I stroked my restless baby bump, whispering a promise:
“Don’t be afraid, baby. Mommy is braver than you think. I’ll protect you, and I’ll protect myself.”
The baby seemed to sense my resolve, kicking in response.
Finally, at seven in the morning, after Julian and Bethany had left for work, I quickly took out my notebook and planned.
Their prolonged disappearance would certainly arouse suspicion from Julian’s parents and Bethany’s family.
If they reported it to the police, it could lead to trouble for me.
After considering several options, I decided to send both families on vacation.
Preferably to a remote location like Alaska, for about two weeks.
With that thought, I called Julian.
Hearing I was paying for his family to go on vacation, he was overjoyed and immediately called his mother, Mrs. Davies.
Mrs. Davies, who usually never had a kind word for me, surprisingly called me directly for the first time.
“Scarlett, darling, I heard you’re sending us all on a trip to Alaska? All-expenses-paid, hotels, flights, and even a thousand dollars for each of us?”
I was about to nod when her disdainful voice rang out again.
“That’s not very generous, is it?”
“Scarlett, I heard you won the lottery! Don’t you think you should give us elders a five-thousand-dollar bonus each? A thousand is so cheap!”
Mrs. Davies was always greedy, and once she found an opportunity to take advantage, she’d never stop.
If I gave in now, she’d demand more and more.
I wouldn’t give her that chance.
“Mom, if you think I’m being selfish, then I won’t pay for this vacation, which is costing around thirty thousand dollars. I’ll cancel the trip right now.”
“You wouldn’t dare! If you cancel, I’ll make Julian divorce you!”
“Fine, I’ll cancel it then.”
Fearing I actually would cancel, Mr. Davies intervened, saying a few placating words.
For the sake of my plan, I didn’t press the issue and then called Bethany.
Learning her family could go on a free vacation, she was as thrilled as Julian.
However, upon hearing the flights were for the day after tomorrow, she asked cautiously,
“Scarlett, why are the tickets booked so last minute?”
Of course it was urgent.
Just moments ago, I’d received a text from Isabella.
Tomorrow night, 7 PM, The Golden Palace Club, Room 708.
I was busy sending them both to hell; how could I let these people ruin my plans?
I brushed her off, “Well, my due date is getting close, so I just thought they should go early and come back early, you know?”
Hearing my answer, Bethany no longer seemed suspicious and calmly went to pack for her parents.
To lure Julian and Bethany to the club, I suggested we have a farewell dinner at The Golden Palace tomorrow night.
Everyone was thrilled.
The Golden Palace! That’s a high-end club, it has everything! We’re so lucky because of Scarlett!
Yes, Julian is truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife. He needs to cherish her.
Julian suggested inviting Bethany’s family as well.
A cold laugh echoed in my mind. He truly kept Bethany in his thoughts, always making sure she got her share of any benefits.
But this was exactly what I wanted.
Sure, we’re all family, let’s make it a big celebration!
Before going to sleep that night, I synced my plan with Isabella.
She told me that once Julian and Bethany were led there, special people would intercept them.
Thinking that Julian and Bethany were still two lives, I opened the Bible and read it a few times.
Julian, fresh out of the shower, saw me and teased curiously,
“Why are you suddenly reading the Bible? Is someone about to die?”
I turned my head, looking at him with a smirk. “Yes.”
His smile froze. He scrutinized my expression intensely.
Just as he seemed to think I’d discovered his plan to kill me during childbirth, I let out a giggle.
“Look at you! You’re getting so serious as you get older, can’t even take a joke anymore…”
Julian unconsciously let out a breath, but the suspicion on his face hadn’t completely vanished.
“That joke wasn’t funny at all. Don’t make it again.”
“Though, have you heard any rumors lately?”
I feigned curiosity. “What rumors? Tell me, it’ll help pass the time.”
Seeing that I truly seemed clueless, he finally relaxed a little and picked up his phone.
Before bed, I handed him a glass of milk to help him sleep, just like always.
Only this time, I added a little something extra. Sleeping pills.
Once I was sure he was asleep, I used his face to unlock his phone and opened his chat with Bethany.
Bethany, the plan has changed. Scarlett probably suspects something. We need to speed things up and get rid of her.
Bethany: You’re overthinking it. Scarlett is an idiot. We’ve been hooking up for a year, and she hasn’t suspected a thing!
Perhaps because Julian didn’t reply immediately, she sent another message.
Remember when her parents found out you were cheating and wanted to tell Scarlett to divorce you? You found out and messed with their brakes, and Scarlett still thinks it was just an accidental death, right?
My pupils constricted sharply. The pain was unbearable, I couldn’t breathe.
It wasn’t an accident. Julian had killed my parents.
And Julian, this murderer, had played the part of a loving husband and devoted son-in-law in front of all our friends and family.
At the funeral, he’d stood before all our loved ones and my parents’ gravestones, promising:
“I will take good care of Scarlett for you, Mom and Dad. I won’t let her suffer.”
All of it was a charade!
That beast!
I slapped the sleeping Julian hard, then, fighting back the grief, typed on his phone.
Baby, I heard there’s a special room at The Golden Palace with all sorts of toys. Shall we try it out tomorrow?
Bethany cursed him playfully, then sent a few pictures of sexy lingerie for him to choose from.
I mimicked Julian’s tone, my hands trembling.
Bring them all. I’ll take them all, baby. I’ll make sure you have the time of your life.
After sending the message, I deleted the recent chat history and put the phone back in its place.
The next afternoon at six, everyone else went into a different private room at The Golden Palace.
Julian and Bethany, however, were exchanging glances, trying to slip out the door unnoticed.
I couldn’t let them leave together, so I deliberately called out to Bethany.
“Bethany, my stomach hurts. Will you come to the restroom with me?”
Before Bethany could react, I pulled her out.
She suppressed the annoyance on her face, shot Julian a look, then reluctantly followed me out of the room.
Halfway there, Bethany realized something was off.
“Scarlett, where are you going? This isn’t the way to the restroom!”
I stopped, feigning timidness as I looked at her.
“I’m sorry, Bethany. Julian forced me to do this. If you want to blame someone, blame him.”
She realized something was truly wrong, yanked her hand away, and tried to run.
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