The Woman Before Me

Evelyn couldn't breathe.

The photograph was still in her hand.

Adrian stood across from her, silent and unreadable, while Clara remained near the door with one hand protectively resting over her stomach.

Three years ago, Clara had been Adrian's fiancée.

Three years ago, she had been carrying his child.

And somehow, three years ago, Adrian had married Evelyn.

None of it made sense.

Evelyn looked at Adrian.

“Is it true?”

His eyes met hers.

“Yes.”

The answer was quiet.

Too quiet.

Evelyn felt something inside her crack.

“So she was telling the truth.”

“I never said she wasn't.”

“You didn't have to.”

Her voice trembled.

“You kept her from me.”

Adrian's expression hardened.

“I kept you away from a situation that could have gotten you killed.”

Evelyn stared at him.

“What are you talking about?”

Adrian looked toward Clara.

“You shouldn't have come here.”

Clara's eyes narrowed.

“I had to.”

“You were supposed to stay away from her.”

“I stayed away for three years.”

Her voice broke.

“I lost everything because of you.”

Adrian looked down.

Evelyn noticed the pain in his expression.

It was the first time she'd ever seen him look guilty.

She stepped closer.

“Why did you marry me?”

Adrian didn't answer.

“Tell me.”

Still nothing.

Evelyn's patience snapped.

“Why did you marry me, Adrian?”

His eyes finally lifted to hers.

“Because I was trying to protect you.”

“From what?”

“Someone who wanted revenge against my family.”

Evelyn frowned.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Your father.”

Her entire body went still.

“My father?”

Adrian nodded.

“Three years ago, your father discovered something about my family.”

Evelyn's heart began pounding.

“My father died two years ago.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you bringing him into this?”

“Because his death wasn't an accident.”

Evelyn stared at him.

The room suddenly felt colder.

“What did you just say?”

Adrian stepped closer.

“Your father's death was connected to the same people who threatened my family.”

Evelyn shook her head.

“No.”

“Evelyn—”

“No.”

She backed away.

“My father died in a car accident.”

“That is what the police report says.”

“You're saying it wasn't?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because I didn't have enough proof.”

“So instead, you married me?”

“Yes.”

Evelyn laughed bitterly.

“You could have told me the truth.”

“I couldn't.”

“Why?”

Adrian's expression changed.

“Because the moment you knew, you would have become a target.”

Evelyn stared at him.

“And marrying me protected me?”

“It gave me a reason to keep you close.”

“Close?”

She pointed at herself.

“I spent three years thinking my husband didn't love me.”

Adrian's jaw tightened.

“I know.”

“You never touched me. You barely spoke to me. You made me feel like I was some unwanted obligation.”

His eyes softened.

“You were never unwanted.”

Evelyn froze.

“Then what was I?”

Adrian looked at her for a long moment.

“My weakness.”

The words hung between them.

Clara looked away.

Evelyn's heart raced.

Before she could respond, a loud crash came from the study.

Everyone turned.

Adrian immediately moved toward Evelyn.

“Stay behind me.”

The lights suddenly went out.

Clara gasped.

“Adrian?”

“Don't move.”

Evelyn could hear his footsteps disappearing into the darkness.

A second later, something shattered.

Then silence.

“Adrian?”

No answer.

Evelyn reached for her phone and switched on the flashlight.

“Adrian!”

She hurried toward the study.

Clara followed.

The study door was open.

Adrian stood beside the desk, staring at the broken window.

Cold night air blew through the curtains.

“What happened?” Evelyn asked.

Adrian didn't answer.

His eyes were fixed on something outside.

Evelyn approached.

“What is it?”

He pointed toward the desk.

A small black envelope sat there.

Evelyn frowned.

“That wasn't there before.”

Adrian's expression became grim.

“Don't touch it.”

He picked it up carefully.

There was no name on it.

Only one sentence written across the front.

YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HER GO.

Evelyn's stomach dropped.

“Who wrote that?”

Adrian looked at Clara.

She had gone completely pale.

“You know who it is,” Evelyn said.

Clara shook her head.

“No.”

“Don't lie to me.”

“I swear I don't.”

Adrian opened the envelope.

Inside was a photograph.

He pulled it out.

His face immediately changed.

Evelyn stepped closer.

“What is it?”

Adrian didn't respond.

She took the photograph from his hand.

Her breath caught.

It showed her father.

Standing beside Adrian's father.

Both men were outside a building Evelyn didn't recognize.

But that wasn't what frightened her.

Someone had circled her father's face in red ink.

And beneath the photograph was a message.

ASK HER WHAT HER FATHER STOLE.

Evelyn looked at Adrian.

“What did my father steal?”

Adrian's eyes remained fixed on the photograph.

“We need to leave.”

“Answer me.”

“Now.”

“No!”

Evelyn stepped in front of him.

“You've kept secrets from me for three years. I'm done being protected by lies.”

Adrian stared at her.

Then his phone rang.

He answered.

“Hello?”

His expression changed.

“Say that again.”

A pause.

“Where?”

He closed his eyes.

“Don't touch anything. I'm coming.”

He ended the call.

“What happened?” Evelyn asked.

Adrian looked at her.

“It was the police.”

Her heart sank.

“What did they say?”

“They found someone outside.”

“Who?”

Adrian hesitated.

Then he said quietly,

“Your father's old business partner.”

Evelyn frowned.

“My father didn't have a business partner.”

Adrian's expression darkened.

“That's what we thought.”

He looked at the photograph again.

“Until tonight.”

Evelyn's phone suddenly vibrated.

An unknown number.

One new message.

She opened it.

You want the truth about your father?

Her fingers trembled.

Another message appeared.

Come to the old warehouse alone.

Then a final message arrived.

And don't tell your husband.