Her mouth opened and closed but no words came out. She looked like she was seeing a nightmare come to life. Elijah on the other hand reacted differently.
His face went from shock to anger to fear in seconds. He let go of Monica and took a step back, his eyes darting toward the exits. Desmond walked slowly into the room, and the crowd parted before him like water.
Don’t leave on my account Elijah, Desmond said coldly. The party is just getting started. How, how is this possible? Monica finally whispered.
Her voice was so quiet, people had to strain to hear it. You’re dead. The police said, they found your ring, the car.
The car was a stage, Desmond said simply. The death was fake. But your betrayal? That was very real.
Monica shook her head frantically. I don’t understand. Why would you? Why would I fake my own death? Desmond interrupted.
He pulled out his phone and held it up. To test you Monica. To see if you really loved me.
Or if you only loved my money. He pressed a button, and suddenly the large screen on the wall, the one Monica had set up to show their engagement photos, flickered to life. But instead of engagement photos, it showed security camera footage.
The crowd gasped as they saw Monica just days after Desmond’s death, dancing around the bedroom and laughing. Finally, her recorded voice said clearly. Finally it’s over.
Monica made a choking sound. No, no you can’t. But Desmond pressed another button.
The video changed to show Monica on the phone. Her voice came through the speakers, it’s done. Yes the police just called.
Car accident. He’s gone. Then another clip.
Monica and Elijah in the living room, toasting with champagne. To perfect accidents, Monica’s voice said. The crowd was silent now watching in horror.
That’s enough. Monica suddenly screamed. Turn it off.
But Desmond didn’t stop. The next clip showed Monica and Elijah talking about the brake sabotage. I had the mechanic adjust things, Monica’s voice explained on the video.
The brakes. He made it so they would fail after about two hours on the highway. Desmond wouldn’t be able to stop the car.
Gasps filled the room. People were no longer confused. They were understanding.
Monica hadn’t just been unfaithful. She had tried to murder her husband. You were going to kill me, Desmond said, his voice shaking with emotion now.
You sabotaged my car. You planned my death. And when you thought it had worked, you celebrated.
That’s not. I didn’t. Monica stammered, but her lies sounded weak even to her own ears.
One more video clip played. This one showed Monica looking at bank accounts on her computer, writing down numbers. Her voice came through, there’s over 50 million dollars in total.
Plus the house, the cars, the company shares. We’re going to be so rich. The room erupted in angry whispers.
People were looking at Monica with disgust now. Desmond finally turned off the screen. I gave you everything, Monica.
My love. My trust. My life.
And you repaid me by trying to take it all. Literally. Monica’s legs seemed to give out.
She sank to her knees on the ballroom floor, her white dress pooling around her. Please, she whispered. Please, Desmond.
I can explain. Explain what? Desmond demanded, his voice rising. Explain how you hired someone to cut my brake lines? Explain how you planned to steal 50 million dollars? Explain how you brought your lover into our home, into our bed, days after you thought I was dead.
Tears were streaming down Monica’s face now. Real tears for once. But they weren’t tears of sadness.
They were tears of fear. Fear of being caught. Fear of losing everything.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Monica sobbed. I just, I wanted to be free. You were always so controlling, always so careful with money.
I felt trapped. Trapped. Desmond repeated in disbelief.
I gave you everything you asked for. Every dress, every piece of jewelry, every expensive dinner. I worked hard so you could have a life of luxury.
And you felt trapped. You never understood me. Monica shouted back, her fear turning to desperation.
You never saw me as anything but a pretty decoration for your perfect life. I was dying inside that marriage Desmond. So you decided to make sure I died outside of it? Desmond shot back.
Monica had no answer for that. Desmond turned to face the crowd. Many of them were people he had known for years.
Business partners. Friends. Neighbors.
I apologize for deceiving all of you, Desmond said to them. I know attending my funeral mourning my death, it must have been painful. And I’m sorry.
But I needed to know the truth about my wife. And now you all know it too. He turned back to Monica who was still on her knees crying.
You wanted my death so badly Monica. You planned it. You celebrated it.
You tried to profit from it. But I came back. Not for revenge.
But for justice. At that moment the ballroom doors opened and several police officers walked in, led by Detective Sarah Rodriguez. Desmond Adams? Detective Rodriguez said, though she was clearly shocked to see him alive.
That’s me, Desmond confirmed. We received a call about attempted murder, the detective said looking confused. That’s correct.
Desmond handed her a folder. In there you’ll find evidence of conspiracy to commit murder. Security camera footage, audio recordings and photographs of my car with sabotage brake lines…
