Chapter 1 - The Anniversary Toast
I looked straight at him and smiled.
"My dear husband, Liam," I began, my voice perfectly steady.
The dining room went completely quiet as both of our families turned their attention to me.
Liam adjusted his collar, looking mildly annoyed but pretending to be the loving partner.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and unlocked the bright screen.
"You have worked so incredibly hard for our family," I continued.
"So hard, in fact, that you often forget to hang up the phone."
Liam's forced smile instantly vanished.
I pressed play on the audio file I had saved six days ago.
His cruel, laughing voice echoed heavily through the quiet dining room.
"Of course I hate her," the recording played loudly.
"I barely touch her anymore."
"Just wait."
"I'll divorce her, and then I'll marry you."
The sickening sound of a kiss filled the agonizing silence of the room.
My mother covered her mouth in absolute horror as tears sprang to her eyes.
Liam stared at me, his face quickly draining of all color.
I waited for him to beg for forgiveness or offer a pathetic excuse.
Instead, his mother, Margaret, slowly placed her expensive wine glass on the table.
She did not look shocked or disappointed in her son at all.
"Well, you really gave him no choice, Clara," Margaret said coldly.
"A man has physical needs, and you have entirely let yourself go since the baby was born."
I stared at my mother-in-law in absolute, sickening disbelief.
Liam suddenly stood up and aggressively grabbed my phone right out of my hand.
He smashed the device against the edge of the dining table, shattering the screen completely.
"You are crazy, Clara, and you need psychiatric help," Liam sneered.
"You are going to deeply regret doing this in front of my family."
May you like
He confidently snapped his fingers in the air.
Two large, intimidating men in dark suits immediately stepped out of my kitchen.
