Page 97 of I see you Beauty

I wish I could make him suffer and bathe in his blood. I wish I could do to him what he must have done to you all these years. But since I don’t want to cause a stir, it has to be clean and quick.

When I arrive on his floor, I can already hear him snoring. I follow the sounds to his office, where I find him sleeping on the black two-seater leather couch, drooling and grunting. His legs hang over the armrest and it looks uncomfortable. At least he suffered a little today, but that’s not enough. I’m about to enjoy watching him die.

Somewhat reluctantly, I pull out the bottle of chloroform and soak a cloth. I am reluctant to stun him in this way and then put my plan into action. I’d much rather beat the shit out of him, but I can’t afford to have any traces of violence found in his office. It’s crucial that he appears to have left town after tonight.

I place the cloth over his mouth and nose, ensuring he’ll stay unconscious while I move him. I quickly grab his keys and cell phone, then pull him to his feet and prop him up so it looks like I’m helping him walk. My cap, which I’ve packed especially for this, is pulled down over my face. I don’t know if there are cameras here, but I don’t want to take any risks. When we arrive in the underground parking garage by elevator, I push him into the back seat of his car.

I quickly get in the car and drive with him a good distance until we arrive at the Potomac River, where I leave him to drown in his car. It’s not the most elegant way to make someone disappear, but it’s effective, and they won’t find any traces.

I put his wallet and cell phone on the passenger seat. Then, I grab his wrist and break it with a firm jerk. This is not necessarily the most inconspicuous method, but it is better than tying him to his steering wheel with cable ties. At least this way, I make sure he can’t break free, and if they do find him at some point, they might think the impact with the water broke his wrist.

Just as I’m about to repeat the whole thing with his other hand, he wakes up, only to scream in pain. The violent cracking sound and the searing pain that seizes him make him scream a little louder before he stares at me in panic.

I calmly take the car out of gear to roll into the water. His pupils dilate as he stares straight into my eyes, and I see real fear flicker in them.

“What the fuck is this? What… what are you doing?” he asks in a panic.

I grin patronizingly at him. “Take it easy. You shouldn’t waste your last few seconds asking pointless questions. Enjoy the sunrise and then… die, you asshole!” I growl hatefully before retreating from the inside so the car can drive into the water.

“WHAT?! NO! Let me go! You… you sick psychopath! What did you do to my wife?” he yells, but I stop listening to him and close the door to give the car a little push so that it goes in far enough to go under.

“What did I do to your wife, you ask? I treated her like a queen, unlike you. You, filthy asshole, didn’t deserve her! And now… happy dying,” I say, the last thing he’ll ever hear before I give the car a good shove.

He hammers his damaged hands against the windshield like a man possessed and looks back at me as he yells to get out. His shouts for help become more frantic, but I remain on the bank, watching as the water steadily floods the interior. His panic and rising desperation bring a genuine smile to my face. If I can’t get rid of him the way he deserves, at least I know he suffered in his last minutes. You’ll thank me, Beauty…

Chapter Sixty-Six

The following day comes far too early, yet I feel like I’ve slept like Sleeping Beauty for a hundred years. As I stretch, I gasp painfully and suddenly remember everything terrible that happened yesterday. I left my husband… it flashes through my mind, and I sit upright in bed.

I don’t know how to feel or what to think. Everything in my head is just spinning, and my body aches. My eyes wander next to me, and my bed is empty. Where is Ezra? He slept next to me last night and held me protectively in his arms the whole time. Maybe that’s why I slept so well, even though all those bad things happened yesterday. Still, it makes me wonder all the more where Ezra is.

Then I discover a note on my bedside table. Next to it is another painkiller and a fresh glass of water. I take the pill before reaching for the note Ezra left for me.

Good morning, beautiful!

I’m afraid I have an appointment I can’t reschedule. I’ll be back with breakfast. Rest until then and take the meds.

See you later.

—Ezra

I can’t help the grin that steals across my face at his words. Everything feels right with Ezra. It’s nice to have him by my side, even or maybe because of all the surrounding chaos—my haven of peace. My anchor is someone who supports me and is there for me when I need him.

Even though it hurts to get up, my smile still doesn’t disappear. I feel downright weightless, and it’s only because of Ezra’s words and that I’m about to see him again.

I can no longer deny it—I have fallen head over heels in love with Ezra. I still don’t know how it will all work out between us. After all, I still have to get divorced, and it will not be easy for June. She will need time to digest it all.

But we’ll get through it somehow. However, one thing is certain: I will be with Ezra King, no matter how many hurdles stand in my way. I’ve resisted this attraction between us long enough, and after yesterday—after everything that’s already happened between us—I know we deserve to try at least.

It’s still early morning, but I don’t want to spend the day in bed. At least not alone. So I decided to shower and tend to my wounds again before calling June and then Kelly.

In the shower, while the soothing spray hits my hair, I try not to overthink the horrible images from yesterday. It’s over. I’ve left Thomas, and I hope he’ll leave me alone and give me a quick divorce. I’ll spare June the details in return for him accepting the break-up. I don’t want her to know the other side of her father. She’s still too young, and she loves her father. This would change everything. As long as he never gets violent with her, she doesn’t need to know about our marital problems.

The ringing of the doorbell snaps me out of my thoughts. But with the way I look, I’m certainly not going to open the door. I can’t face anyone like this, all green and blue in the face and with a split lip. I haven’t taken a look in the mirror yet because I at least wanted to take a shower in peace before facing the harsh reality, but there’s no way I’m opening the door in this state.

But the ringing won’t stop. I briefly worry that it might be Thomas, but he would use his key. So who could be ringing the doorbell so insistently? Even after a few more minutes, the ringing continues, and I realize that whoever is outside won’t leave until I answer the door. I quickly get out of the shower, wrap myself in my silk robe, and grab my largest pair of sunglasses. I don’t have time for makeup, so I just hope I can get rid of whoever it is quickly.

I open the door a crack and am surprised to see the young blonde woman from yesterday standing on my porch, the one Ezra spoke to alone for a moment.

---