Chapter 2 - The Perfect Smile|
The elevator carried me back up to the Lark & Pine restaurant. Before stepping out, I paused in front of the large mirror in the hallway. I meticulously adjusted my hair, reapplied a touch of red lipstick, and took a deep, steadying breath. No one could be allowed to see the violent storm sweeping through my soul right now. Pushing the heavy oak doors open, I walked back into the private dining room where twenty relatives and company employees were waiting beneath shimmering gold balloons.
"Is everything okay, sweetie?" my mother asked.
Her eyes flashed with genuine concern as she noticed me returning alone.
"Perfect," I replied.
I flashed a radiant and utterly fake smile that made even me shiver internally. I walked over to the center table and picked up the silver knife to cut the beautiful three-tiered cake. I thanked everyone for coming, raised a glass to toast my new age, and even posed for photographs with an empty, glaring space right next to me—the exact spot where my husband should have been standing. I smoothly lied to everyone, claiming that Ethan and Madison were dealing with a minor issue with the SUV down in the parking garage.
Ten minutes later, my phone vibrated in my clutch. It was a text message from Ethan:
May you like
"Madison suddenly felt nauseous. I'm driving her home to rest. So sorry, my love."
I stared at that piece of garbage text, my fingers calmly typing out a reply featuring a single red heart emoji. I didn't want him to suspect a thing. I needed time to prepare my counterattack. Slowly, the guests began to leave. I saw them off with warm hugs and cheerful goodbyes. Only when the private room was completely empty did my mask finally slip. It was time to do what needed to be done.
