One month ago: Picked out our little love nest today~ The neighborhood is gorgeous! Thank you, hubby, for giving me and our baby boy such a cozy home.
The photo showed her arm hooked through Ralph's at a real estate sales office. Her belly was just beginning to show. She was beaming.
Ralph had his arm around her waist, looking at her with a tenderness I had never once seen directed at me in my entire marriage.
Two months ago: Our secret spot, just me and Mr. Dickerson. He says I'm the only person who makes him feel completely at ease. The steak here is amazing.
The photo was from the most expensive steakhouse in the city. I used to eat there all the time before we got married. After the wedding, I'd asked him dozens of times if we could go for my birthday. Every single time, he'd frowned and said it was too expensive, that we needed to save. So I'd cook noodles at home instead. And then he'd turn around and take another woman there without blinking.
Three months ago: Two lines! Baby is coming! Mommy and Daddy have been waiting for you for so long.
The photo showed their fingers intertwined, resting gently on her still-flat stomach.
Every single photo was a blade dipped in ice, plunging into the softest part of my chest.
I curled up under the covers and cried without making a sound. My tears soaked the pillow cold.
Beside me, Ralph slept peacefully. There was even a faint smile on his lips. Probably dreaming about his other little family.
I stared at that face, so perfectly, thoroughly false, and felt the last ember of love in my heart burn itself into hate.
You think you can fool everyone, Ralph?
I'm not some pushover you can walk all over.
I am the rightful heir to Henson Group.
Years ago, to shield his fragile ego, I'd hidden my identity and roughed it alongside him while he built his startup. I funneled Henson resources his way, lined up investors, pulled strings on deals. Every time I wanted something for myself, a real anniversary, a trip, even a decent dinner, he brushed me off with "We need to focus on the business."
Turns out he wasn't broke. He just refused to spend it on me.
I slipped out of bed without a sound and padded into the study. I opened my laptop.
The first thing I did was contact a private investigation firm. I wanted Lisa Perry's entire history laid bare.
It didn't take long. Everything came back.