Till Death Do Us Part: Chapter II

 

I couldn’t believe what I was reading: all the times that he was supposed to be working, he was actually in a hotel room with her! I found all the receipts tucked away in the journal cover—they were from the Williamson Hotel. Even the two-day business trip was a romantic rendezvous with her. How had I missed it? We were supposed to start a family. I realised why he kept putting it off: he was planning on running away with another woman. I felt my chest tighten; I couldn’t breathe. I tried to call out to my new boyfriend, Craig, but the words wouldn’t come out. I woke up in a hospital bed and had no idea how I got there.

Craig related to me what had happened: “I found you lying on the basement floor and called emergency services.”

The doctor told me that I had a minor heart attack, and that it may have been brought on by stress. He asked me to take it easy. Little did I know that getting that heart attack would help me get to the bottom of my husband’s disappearance. I was in the hospital for two days, and that meant watching a lot of TV. I saw a documentary on Hawaii when I noticed two known faces: Lyle and my supposed-to-be best friend, June. I thought maybe I made a mistake. After all, June was supposed to be in Paris, working as a museum curator. I called her, and what do you know? She picked up, not knowing I was watching her on live TV. I asked how she was doing and said I was thinking of coming to Paris next month.

“What, you’re coming to Paris?” she asked, alarmed. I heard Lyle ask who it was and she kept her finger to her mouth while looking at him. I could see everything on TV. I got myself discharged and took a taxi home. As I checked Lyle’s belongings, I came across a gun in his safe. I guess he had forgotten about the weapon, or just didn’t need it anymore.

As I closed the safe, I heard my phone ring: it was Craig. He had found out that I had left the hospital and was crossed with me. I explained that I was fine, and that I was bored lying on a hospital bed. When he came over, I greeted him with a kiss, which calmed him down.

“I know he was your husband, but it has been two years. You still seem to be unable to get over him.”

“You‘re wrong: I was just overworked. I’m over him, I promise.”

“It’s okay. It means you fall in love hard. I like that about you, but I just wish you felt the same way about me, too.”

“I do, and here’s the proof,” I said as I held my hand before him.

“The ring? Does this mean you’re ready?”

“Yes, let’s get married tomorrow and go to Hawaii for our honeymoon.”

“Let’s do it!” he said before kissing me.

We got married the next day and left for Hawaii. I felt bad about manipulating Craig, but I needed closure—and that trip was going to give me just that. We arrived there in the morning and I picked the resort that was closest to the bungalow Lyle and June were staying at. I didn’t want to take the chance of Lyle seeing me before I was ready, so I faked food-poisoning and stayed in my room—but I insisted that Craig enjoy himself. Three nights after we arrived, I mixed sleeping pills in Craig’s drink and, as he fell asleep, I snuck out.

I managed to sneak into the bungalow through an open window and then followed the sound of their voices in search of the room they were in. When I found it, I slowly opened the door. They were too busy all entwined in each other to even notice me walk in until I said hi. Alarmed, Lyle jumped off her. As he stood naked in front of me, I knew there was no going back.

“Aren’t you two great masterminds?” I asked, pointing the gun at Lyle.

“I am sorry, I really am! I never meant to hurt you,” he said, putting his hands together as he trembled.

“What about you? Did you not mean to hurt me either, June?”

“No, I didn’t! You’re my best friend, but Lyle and I fell in love.”

“How about, oh, I don’t know: telling the truth and getting a divorce? Do you think I am incompetent? Not only did you carry on behind my back, you also pretended to be abducted and made me sell all my possessions! Get back in bed with her, Lyle!”

“Okay, fine! I will,” he said, joining June.

I pointed the gun at Lyle as I stepped forward, and then shot him in the chest. June tried to run away, but I shot her in the back. I shot them both again, and again. “Till death do us part, right, honey?”

I tied a brick to the gun and tossed it in the sea. The next day was a new beginning: I finally had closure. I felt bad about keeping all of that a secret from Craig, but I had to, at least for the time being. Even though I manipulated him, I did still love him. Perhaps someday, I would be able to tell him what I did.

—End—