2
In the restroom, I poured most of the tea
down the toilet, stashing the rest.
Back in the office, I placed the near–empty
bottle on my desk.
Sarah, playing on her phone, glanced up.
“Ugh, I’m so jealous. I can’t touch anything
cold during my period. Just hot water and
heating pads for me.”
^
cold during my period. Just hot water and
heating pads for me.”
I forced a smile. “What time is your client
coming?”
“Nine. Should be any minute now.‘
“”
I nodded and headed towards the service bay.
My husband, Mark, also worked at the
dealership. His connections had landed me
this job after three years as a stay–at–home
mom.
But he was nowhere to be found.
Asking around, I learned he’d called in sick.
But we’d driven to work together! He hadn’t
mentioned a thing about being sick.
Panic set in. I rushed to the back parking lot.
Our car was gone.
A chill ran down my spine. In my past life,
Mark had sealed my fate, painting me as a
jealous, scheming wife. He’d presented my
phone’s notes app, filled with what he
<
claimed was my plan to kill the pregnant
woman and seduce her husband.
My phone had been with him while I was
hospitalized. He knew my passcode.
Sarah… Mark…
My supposed best friend, my husband… My
heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise.
I could barely breathe.
My phone screen lit up, showing my
daughter’s smiling face.
No. I wouldn’t let them win. My daughter, Lily,
was only three.
This morning, at daycare drop–off, she’d
hugged me tight. “Lily give Mommy magic
kiss! So Mommy strong at work!”
Wiping away tears, I took a deep breath and
walked towards the manager’s office.
I told him about Sarah asking me to cover the
test drive and, under the pretense of wanting
to familiarize myself with the client’s file, got
<
test drive and, under the pretense of wanting to familiarize myself with the client’s file, got
the pregnant woman’s contact information.
Her name was Jessica Miller. I remembered
her from my past life – a beautiful, intelligent
woman, radiating a gentle warmth.
I remembered the last moment before impact,
her screaming “My baby!” as she shielded
her belly.
