Chapter 3

His shout rang down the corridor, and one by one the guests next door cracked open their doors to watch.

Someone even filmed me in that wretched state and posted it online.

I was twenty-two that year, fresh out of college, and the job I'd already lined up quietly fell through because of the scandal.

Afterward, to make it up to me, Les arranged a position for me at his company.

Back then I was naive enough to believe he only kept hurting me, again and again, because he was ill.

In the hospital room, a doctor was dressing my wound.

My mother looked at my bandaged forehead and frowned.

"How could you be so careless? You know perfectly well the wedding is in three days, and you couldn't even protect your own face?"

"That face of yours only looks about sixty percent like Fern as it is."

"If you upset Les and ruin your brother's future, don't bother coming home!"

My father added his part.

"Doris, your mother and I only want what's best for you. Les is honestly the best match you'll ever land. A person has to know when to be grateful."

I lowered my head and let out a soft laugh.

"I'm grateful."

The two of them reminded me over and over to play Fern well and keep Les happy.

By the time Les came back from settling the bill, my parents had already gone.

"Fern, today's our tenth anniversary. I've had my assistant book us a restaurant for tonight."

He handed me an elegant little gift bag.

"This is the dress I picked out for you. Put it on, and I'll come get you tonight."

He was acting sick again.

I didn't call it out. I played along.

"All right. I'll wait for you."

The dress was cut to Fern's measurements.

On an empty stomach, holding my breath tight, I barely squeezed into a dress a full size too small.

I had to keep a firm grip on the hem just to walk without exposing myself.

The strange looks from the men passing by left the embarrassment plain on my face.

But Les acted as if he didn't see my discomfort. Or rather, that was the whole point.

We reached the restaurant.

He pulled out my chair himself, his voice as gentle as ever.

"Fern, everything I ordered today is the seafood you love. You're going to be so happy."

One dish after another arrived at the table.

From start to finish, I never once touched my utensils.

I'm severely allergic to seafood. One bite, and my throat swells until I can't breathe.

Les knew.

But he smiled and set a peeled crab in front of me.

"Go on, eat. Everything's here now."

I looked at him.

"I can't eat seafood."

The smile froze on his face. He shot to his feet and glared at me with venom in his eyes.

"You're not like her anymore. You're not her!"

"Fern loved seafood most of all. She had a weak constitution, always cold, but she couldn't help herself, ate until her stomach ached every single time."

"How can you tell me you can't eat seafood?"

With that he came around to me, snatched the crab meat off the plate, and shoved it into my mouth.

"Eat it!"

I clenched my teeth and fought him with both hands.

But Les looked dead set on ending my life. His fingers dug in and wrenched my jaw loose.

As the crab meat was forced down my throat.

The pressure closing off my airway left me gasping, my heart pounding faster and faster, my vision blurring.

Right before I blacked out, his voice came low against my ear, the whisper of a devil.

"Doris, why couldn't it have been you who died that night?"

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in a hospital bed.

Les kept watch at my bedside, his face full of remorse.

"Doris, I'm sorry. I lost control of myself again, and this time I got you hurt again."

"I promise there won't be a next time."

I nodded slightly.

"All right."

Not because I believed his lie. Because I would never give him another chance to hurt me.

I watched the corner of his mouth curve up, just faintly.

And in the silence of my own heart, I spoke.

"Les, I hope you'll like the gift I give you at the wedding, once you see it."