Chapter 3

“The estate is all decorated. Let’s have a romantic night together.

“We’re flying to Prance for vacation first thing tomorrow.”

Lloyd wrapped his arms around me and rubbed his nose playfully against my cheek.

I did not say anything. I just looked out the window in silence.

The car slowly drove into the estate. Every tree was wrapped in colorful lights. When they were all turned on, it looked like something out of a dream.

Inside the estate, a long table was filled with food and candles. The whole thing felt warm and romantic.

Just as we sat down, Lloyd’s phone rang.

“Oh, hell no!”

He was about to ignore it, but when he saw who it was, he changed his mind and answered it.

“What? I’m on my way!”

Lloyd suddenly got up to leave, but when he saw me, he stopped and looked unsure of what to do.

“If you need to go, go. I’ll stay here and wait for you.”

He paused, then said, “I won’t be long.”

I did not know who had called, but the only person who could make him act like that was Lillie.

Lloyd always set up the best date nights. This time, I enjoyed everything alone.

Then, I opened a message from Lillie. It was a photo of Lloyd in the kitchen.

[Sorry, my stomach hurts. I wanted some soup from Lloyd. I’ll return him to you tomorrow.]

We had been married for five years, and he had never cooked once. I did not even know he knew how to do it.

Then, I heard some noise coming from outside the estate. I called Lloyd, but Lillie answered his phone.

“Lloyd’s in the shower. Want me to pass along a message?”

“Put him on.”

“He’s busy tonight. He’s spending time with me. Please don’t call again to ruin our evening.”

Lillie hung up on me.

I stayed still at the dining table while the staff rushed into the room in a panic.

“Madam, the Hill family’s men have broken in! We need to get you out right now!”

I said calmly, “No need. You should all leave.”

I stood by the table and would not leave, so the staff had no choice but to run for their lives without me.

The peaceful, romantic atmosphere was shattered by the sound of gunfire. I stood alone in the middle of the estate and made one final call to Lloyd.

His phone was switched off.

Memories from our five years of marriage flashed through my mind.

He convinced his family elders just so he could marry an orphan like me. He kicked out the housekeeper who mistreated me, and he often planned sweet surprises and romantic gestures.

All those fake happy moments from before made me feel how pathetic I really was.

I uploaded the video showing Lloyd sneaking into the study to steal the plan, along with the recordings of his phone calls with Lillie, to the mafia’s secret network.

The Hill family’s men were right in front of me.

One of them aimed the gun at my chest and pulled the trigger.

Meanwhile, Lloyd wiped the soup off himself and was about to leave.

Lillie stepped in his way. “Lloyd, it’s really late. Just go home tomorrow.”

Lloyd pushed her hands away. “No, we’re catching a flight in the morning. I have to go back tonight.”

A car screeched to a stop in front of them. Lloyd’s assistant rushed out.

“Boss! The Hill family ambushed the estate! Mrs. Becker’s dead!”