Chapter 3

After lunch, Calvin led Dorothy into the living room to watch TV.

While I was clearing the table, I peeked through the kitchen's glass door to see Dorothy leaning on Calvin's shoulder, her hand resting on the silicone doll's thigh. She was stroking the doll's hair and muttering something, though I couldn't hear.

Calvin lowered his head and glanced at her, his gaze as warm and gentle as the summer breeze. He had never looked at me that way.

After I'd finished washing the dishes and emerged from the kitchen, Dorothy had already changed into a different outfit. This time, she wore one of Calvin's old gray sweaters, the sleeves hanging past her hands.

"I got my clothes dirty, so I borrowed Calvin's sweater. You don't mind, do you, Laura?" She blinked at me.

"Not at all." I sank into the armchair opposite the couch.

Dorothy picked up the doll and set it in her lap. "This doll's adorable, Calvin," she said. "I want one, too."

"You can have mine," Calvin offered casually.

"Really?" Dorothy's eyes glittered, then darkened the next second. "Never mind. Laura will be upset."

Calvin shot me a look. "She doesn't get a say in what I do with my stuff. If you want the doll, take it."

Dorothy peered at me, a smirk tugging on her lips. "In that case, thanks!"

She hugged the doll and rested her chin on its head, flashing me a sweet smile.

The comments were an insult to my injury.

"Haha! Check out Laura's face! She's riled up, alright!"

"Wait, how's Calvin gonna have fun tonight if Dorothy takes the doll?"

"Duh, she's going to resonate with the doll tonight after she takes it, you idiot. That way, Calvin can have fun with her remotely while she's in bed! Isn't that far more exciting?"

"Laura hasn't found out about the doll yet, anyway. She's so naive. She thinks everything will be fine once the doll's gone."

"Dorothy's feigning innocence so Laura will let her guard down, only Laura's too dumb to ever figure it out."

I watched as Dorothy stood, holding the doll in her arms. She turned to Calvin. "Hey, Calvin, can I stay over tonight? I can't get a cab at this hour."

"Sure. The guest room's available," Calvin replied.

"Sorry for imposing, Laura." Dorothy threw me a smile.

I rose from the armchair and headed into the guest room to turn down the bed for Dorothy. She padded in with the doll and set it beside her pillow. Then, she began to take off the sweater.

I turned away, not wanting to look.

"Laura, do you think Calvin's a good husband?" she suddenly asked.

I froze. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I was just asking." She changed into a strappy nightgown and lay on the bed, pulling the doll close. "I just think Calvin's a really nice guy. He's just… not very good at expressing himself."

Rolling over so that she had her back to me, Dorothy mumbled, "Goodnight, Laura."

I closed the door behind me and returned to the master bedroom.

Calvin was already in bed, scrolling through his phone as he asked, "Has Dorothy gone to bed?"

"Yeah."

"It's not easy for a young woman to be alone in a new city. Keep an eye out for her, will you?"

I made no reply. I simply lay down in bed and turned off the lights.

In the darkness, I heard rustling as Calvin tossed and turned in bed. A moment later, he quietly got out of bed and padded out of the room.

The door was left ajar. I heard him open the door to the guest room, followed by a whispered, "Dorothy?"

The comment feed exploded across my vision.

"Holy shit! Holy shit! Calvin went into Dorothy's room!"

"He just went over while Laura's sleeping in the next room? Talk about guts!"

"Dorothy must have already resonated with the doll. It's lying in bed in the guest room right now, ready for Calvin to go in and have some fun with it."

"Will Laura catch him? Nah, I doubt she's that perceptive."

"I'm on the edge of my seat! Will tonight be twice as exciting as usual? Imagine getting it on with a doll in the guest room while your dumb wife sleeps in the room next door."

I tightened my grip on the bedsheets.

The comments hadn't been lying. Before long, I heard familiar noises coming from the guest room—restrained panting, quiet whimpering, and Calvin's low murmuring.

That night, I stared at the ceiling and didn't get a wink of sleep.