A Wife's Bitter Reckoning

tity documents are being processed. Estimated completion: 4-6 weeks. A wave of relief, so potent it felt like a

ls and Michelin-starred restaurants. This would be her Paris. A small apartment in Le Marais, a q

ost, sorting through fifteen years of shared memories. Tucked away in a velvet box at the back of her

d her, his eyes sincere. "It represents the f

ing stones. They weren't a symbol of a future; they were the price o

se and donated it anonymously. The release

smiling, fraudulent memories. The silly souvenirs from their early,

o the flames. She watched as their faces, captured in moments of feigned happiness, curled, bla

umming a tune she didn't recognize. He noticed the empty

s?" he asked, his brow fu

amed," she lied smoothly.

m-a faint, floral perfume that wasn't hers. She saw a single, long dark hair on the collar of his cashmere coat. The evidence was

, his arm looping around her waist. "A party. For your bir

This party wasn't for her. It was for him. A performance for thei

l," she said, her vo

en. She felt like an observer at her own execution. The penthouse was filled with flowers, champagne flow

n she s

, looking lost and out of place in a vib

elsey. "My dear, you look stunning tonight," the woman said,

en. They thought Aria was her. The replacement was so blatant,

est like a shield, her eyes wide and darting around the room. Sh

moved to her side. He placed a protective hand on the small of her back,

er steps feeling heavy, as if

r voice low and even. "

le. "Kelsey, darling! I wanted you to meet Aria properly. I thought, si

voice booming with false bonhomie. "This is Aria Diaz. She's a dear friend of the family who has gr

r couple. She was the benevolent older sister, graciously accepting this younger, more fertile woman in

troducing her to his powerful friends, his hand never leaving her back. Kelsey wa

ears. She watched him tuck a stray strand of hair behind Aria's e

olences for her "sprained arm" and compliments on the

the museum board, were whisperin

ne said. "Bringing his mistres

"Last week, at Dr. Evans' fertility clinic. They were h

ility specialist in the city. The one Bennett had

reathtaking. This wasn't just a recent affair. This was a long-term, calculated deception. A double life