Chapter 4

Ethan's voice was ice. "Are you crazy, Clara? Look what you did to Veronica!"

He cradled Veronica's arm as if she were made of glass. The scratch was tiny.

"It was an accident," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "The vase..."

"An accident?" Ethan sneered. "Or are you just jealous? Veronica is a guest in our home. My friend."

He glared at me. "You will apologize to her. And then you will go to your room. I don't want to see your face."

His words cut deep.

He confined me to our bedroom.

He even installed a small security camera on the dresser, pointing towards the door. "So I know you're staying put and calming down."

His voice, through the camera's speaker, was a constant reminder of my imprisonment.

My phone buzzed constantly. Messages from mutual friends, forwarded by Ethan.

Photos of him and Veronica at charity events, at gallery openings. Laughing. Touching.

He sent one himself: a picture of Veronica's hand, a new diamond ring on her finger, our discarded wedding bands blurred in the background.

His message: "Moving on. You should too."

Then, an unexpected call. A number I didn't recognize.

"Clara? It's Liam. Liam Miller. Sarah Chen's friend?"

His voice was warm. Hesitant. Younger than Ethan's.

"Sarah gave me your number. She said you might... need a friend. I'm in Seattle for a couple of days for a craft beer expo. If you want to grab a coffee, or just talk..."

"Liam. Hi. I... I don't know."

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open.

Ethan stood there, his face contorted with rage. He must have been listening through the camera.

"Who the hell are you talking to?" he roared, snatching the phone from my hand.

He saw the name. "Liam Miller? Who is this guy?"

His eyes were wild. Possessive.

"Are you cheating on me, Clara? After everything?"

The hypocrisy was astounding.

I stood up, my own anger finally igniting.

I walked to the dresser, ripped the camera from its stand, and smashed it on the floor.

I cut the wires. I threw the memory card into the trash.

"Get out, Ethan," I said, my voice trembling but firm.

"You're the one who changed, Clara! You've become... bitter. Cold."

"I changed?" I laughed, a harsh, broken sound. "Look in the mirror, Ethan. You're the monster here."

He tried to justify Veronica.

"She's a brilliant scientist. My foundation needs her. I'm hosting a gala next week to launch the Cole Medical Research Foundation. Veronica will be the guest of honor. Our lead researcher."

A front. To introduce his mistress to Seattle society.

"And you, Clara, will be there. By my side. The supportive wife."

His voice softened. He tried to kiss me.

"We can fix this, Clara. After the gala, we'll talk. We'll go back to how things were."

I felt trapped. Powerless. If I refused, he would make my life even more of a hell.

"Fine," I said.

He smiled, satisfied.

Later that night, a message appeared on my phone. From Veronica.

A picture of her in a stunning evening gown.

The text: "Looking forward to the gala, Clara. It's going to be a very special night. For me."