My wife Monica Adams hired someone to cut my brakes, intending to cause a fatal accident. Detective Rodriguez opened the folder and quickly scanned the contents. Her expression hardened.
She looked at Monica then at Elijah who was trying to slowly back toward an exit. Officers detained these two, the detective ordered. Two police officers moved toward Monica.
She didn’t resist. She just knelt there crying as they helped her to her feet and handcuffed her. This isn’t fair.
Monica suddenly screamed. You tricked me Desmond. You faked your death.
That’s illegal too. Actually, Mr. Harrison stepped forward from the crowd. Faking one’s own death is not illegal if done with proper documentation and if you don’t defraud anyone.
Mr. Adams coordinated with Dr. Thompson and myself to ensure everything was done legally. You on the other hand committed attempted murder, conspiracy to commit fraud and embezzlement. Monica’s face crumbled.
She had no defense left. The officers then moved toward Elijah who tried to run. But he didn’t get far.
Two officers grabbed him at the doorway. I didn’t do anything. Elijah protested.
I didn’t know about the brakes. That was all her. Really? Desmond said coldly.
He played another video clip on the screen. This one showed Elijah and Monica planning how to sell the company and hide the money offshore. Elijah’s voice came through clearly.
We need to close this chapter completely. Sell everything. Turn it all into cash.
Then we disappear. Elijah’s face went pale. He stopped struggling.
Elijah Morrison, Detective Rodriguez said, you’re under arrest as an accomplice to fraud and conspiracy. You have the right to remain silent. As the detective read them their rights, the party guests stood in stunned silence.
Some were filming on their phones. Others were whispering to each other. All of them were witnessing the most dramatic party they had ever attended.
Monica looked at Desmond one last time as the officers led her toward the door. Her mascara was running down her face. Her white dress was dirty from kneeling on the floor and her expensive engagement ring caught the light.
I did love you once, she said quietly. In the beginning. I really did.
Desmond looked at her. This woman he had married seven years ago, this woman he had trusted with his heart and his life. No Monica, he said sadly.
You loved the idea of me. The mansion. The money.
The status. But you never loved me. If you had, you wouldn’t have been able to do what you did.
Monica opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. What could she say? He was right. The police led her out of the ballroom.
Elijah was taken out through another door, still protesting his innocence. And just like that, it was over. After the police left with Monica and Elijah, the ballroom remained silent for a long moment.
50 guests stood frozen, not sure what to do or say. Then someone started clapping. Slowly at first.
Then others joined in. Soon the entire room was applauding. Desmond stood there, overwhelmed.
He hadn’t expected this. He thought people might be angry at him for the deception. But instead they were supporting him.
That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen, said Mr. Chin, Desmond’s business partner, stepping forward. He was an older man with kind eyes. Monica almost stole everything from you.
Your company, your fortune, your life. I’m so sorry I didn’t see through her act. None of us did, said another guest, a woman who had been Monica’s friend.
She fooled all of us. I feel sick thinking about how I comforted her at the funeral, telling her everything would be okay. Meanwhile, she was planning to run away with that criminal.
People came up to Desmond one by one, shaking his hand, hugging him, telling him they were glad he was alive. Some apologized for believing Monica’s lies. Others said they had always suspected something was wrong but couldn’t prove it.
Through it all, Grace stood by her brother’s side, her arm around his shoulder. After about 30 minutes the guests began to leave. They had gotten quite a show and now they had stories to tell.
By tomorrow morning the entire city would know what happened. Finally only Desmond, Grace and Dr. Paul remained in the ballroom. The room that had been decorated for an engagement party now looked empty and sad.
White flowers everywhere but no celebration. Desmond walked to the center of the dance floor, where Monica had been dancing with Elijah just an hour ago. He looked around at the mansion, his home, that suddenly felt different.
Cleaner somehow. Like a poison had been removed. Are you okay? Grace asked softly.
Desmond thought about the question. Was he okay? His wife had tried to kill him. She had betrayed him in the worst possible way.
She had never loved him. But he was alive. He had his company back.
He had his money back. And most importantly he knew the truth now. I will be, Desmond said finally.
It’s going to take time. But yes I’ll be okay. Dr. Paul walked over and placed a hand on Desmond’s shoulder.
What you did took incredible courage. And incredible patience. Forty days of watching that woman celebrate your death.
I don’t know many people who could have done that. I had to know, Desmond said simply. If I had just confronted her about the message on her phone she would have lied.
She would have denied everything. I would never have known the sabotage breaks about Elijah about all of it. Sometimes the only way to expose a lie is to give it room to grow.
Well it certainly grew, Grace said with a bitter laugh. Monica couldn’t help herself. She got greedy and careless…
