Part 3The Counterfeit Life

The update was a picture of a dog.

A Golden Retriever wearing a diamond necklace.

Below it was Bella’s caption:

Anonymous User: The idiot is throwing a tantrum. Ugh. I generously gave my dog, Buster’s, old collar to her husband to use as a peace offering. I wonder if she cried tears of joy when she got her 'gift'?

I stared at the screen. The necklace around the dog’s neck was identical to the one Gavin had just tried to put on me.

Eight years of marriage. In his eyes, I was worth less than her dog.

The crushing disappointment gave way to a cold, clarifying anger. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, and let the ice settle in my veins.

The door creaked open.

"Babe, come on, don't be like that. I really know I messed up."

Gavin walked in, grinning like a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He held out a pink index card. "Look! A 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. Good for one forgiveness. Please?"

I took the card. The edges were yellowed. The date written on it was from ten years ago.

We didn't even know each other ten years ago.

The little heart drawn at the bottom had Bella’s signature swirl.

The last ember of love in my chest turned to ash.

"Get out," I said, my voice raspy. "I don't want to see you."

He frowned, his patience snapping. "Elara, enough is enough. You keep dragging this out, it’s going to get annoying."

He slammed the door and left.

I held the card between my fingers. It was cold.

My phone rang. It was my mother.

"Elara! Grow up," she snapped the moment I picked up. "Gavin marrying you was already a charity case. Why are you acting out? He works so hard, can't you be considerate for once?"

"Mom," I interrupted, my voice flat. "I had an abortion."

Silence on the other end. Then, a sigh. "It’s not the end of the world. Gavin is doing what’s best for Leo."

"I called you ten times," I said. "Gavin was on a 'business trip.' What about you? What were you doing that was so important?"

I didn't wait for an answer. I hung up.

Texts from mutual friends started flooding in. "Couples fight, it’s normal." "Gavin loves you so much." "Look at his Facebook, he’s so sweet."

I opened Gavin’s Facebook.

Status update, ten minutes ago:

Gavin: Kicked out of the bedroom by the wifey. Guess the gift is keeping me company tonight.

Attached was a photo of the necklace.

Comments were praising him as a "Wife Guy." He replied to one:

Gavin: Anything for her. Tomorrow is the auction. I’m going to bid on that vintage sapphire choker she wants. Maybe that will get me back in the master bedroom...

Lies.

I hate sapphires. Bella is the one obsessed with vintage jewelry.

I took a screenshot of his post. Then I took a screenshot of the dog collar post. I stitched them together side-by-side.

Bella’s thread updated again:

Anonymous User: The idiot seems actually mad this time. Whatever. I told Mom to organize a family dinner to put her in her place. She’s forgetting who the favorite is.

Someone commented: If you hate her so much and your family is rich, why not just kick her out?

Bella replied instantly:

Anonymous User: Oh, she'll get kicked out eventually. But not yet. She’s still useful. I haven't even used my trump card. Thinking about the look on her face when she finds out the truth... god, it makes me shiver with excitement.

"Trump card"?

I stared at those words. A strange, intuitive dread crawled up my spine.

My phone buzzed again. A text from Mom.

Family dinner tonight. Be there.

I stared at the screen. "Okay."

I was actually very interested in knowing what Bella's "trump card" was.