PLANNED AND RUINED

Gerald closed the door behind him and leaned against it, feeling exhausted and drained. He had just spent hours at the police station with his lawyer, Mr. James, trying to prove that Mark was the one who had been blackmailing Hazel, his fiancee, for months.

Gerald rubbed his eyes and sighed. He looked at his watch and saw that it was past midnight. He wondered if Hazel was still awake, waiting for him.

He pushed himself away from the door and walked towards their bedroom, hoping to find her asleep in their bed. He reached the bedroom door and opened it quietly, not wanting to wake her up if she was sleeping. He stepped inside and saw her sitting on the bed, wearing a white nightgown that contrasted with her dark hair. She looked up at him with wide eyes that reflected the moonlight coming through the window. She smiled faintly and said in a soft voice:

“Gerald… you’re back.”

He smiled back at her and walked towards the bed, dropping his briefcase on the flo