In mere moments, they shoved me away like I was nothing. I stumbled, the world spinning around me as I tumbled down the stairs. My body hit the ground with a sickening thud. Pain shot through me, and then—nothing. Darkness swallowed me whole.
Just then, I heard William’s voice called out from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. "Honey, why are you just standing there?"
I turned to him with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Just remembering something I need to take care of. You go ahead and sleep; I’ll be in the study."
He nodded, pretending to care. "Don’t stay up too late," he said as he turned and headed for bed.
I stood there, watching him walk away, my mind replaying every betrayal. I knew what he was up to. He was meeting Linda, plotting his fake death, setting up the trap they thought would ruin me again.
But this time, I wouldn’t let them win.
I slowly descended the stairs, my eyes on the dark garage. The events of tomorrow were already written in my memory. William’s "accident." The car crash that wasn’t supposed to kill him, just set the stage for their elaborate scam. But I wasn’t going to play by their rules anymore.