Does she love me? Has she ever loved me? Or have I been a fool this whole time? Grace was quiet for a long moment. Then she said something that would change both their lives forever. Then test her.
Desmond looked up. What? Test her, Grace repeated leaning forward. If you want to know the truth, the real truth, then you need to create a situation where Monica can’t lie anymore.
Where she has to show her true self. How do I do that? Grace’s eyes were serious and sad. Give her what she seems to want.
Take yourself out of the picture. Make her think you’re gone. Then watch what she does.
Desmond stared at his sister like she had just spoken in a foreign language. You mean, fake my death? Yes. The word hung in the air between them like smoke.
That’s crazy, Desmond said. So is plotting to get rid of your husband, Grace shot back pointing at the phone. Listen to yourself Desmond.
You’re already thinking the worst. You already suspect she wants you gone. This message proves you’re not imagining things.
So why not find out the truth once and for all? Desmond stood up and walked to the window. Outside the rain was falling harder now washing everything clean. He wished it could wash away his doubts and fears too.
If Monica truly loves you, Grace continued gently, then she’ll be heartbroken. She’ll mourn you. She’ll protect your name and honor your memory.
She’ll stay faithful to who you were. And if she doesn’t love me, then she’ll show you exactly who she really is. Desmond closed his eyes.
The idea was extreme. Dangerous even. What if something went wrong? What if people got hurt? But then he remembered Monica’s cold eyes.
Her constant need for money. Her phone conversations filled with complaints about him. That mysterious message.
Once he’s gone, he needed to know the truth. Even if it destroyed him. If I do this, Desmond said slowly, I’ll need help.
I can’t just disappear without a solid plan. I’ll help you with everything, Grace promised. And we should bring in Dr. Paul.
He’s your doctor. He can make it look convincing. Dr. Paul Thompson had been Desmond’s physician for 15 years.
More than that, he was a trusted friend. A man of honor and discretion. If anyone could help make this work, it was Paul.
Desmond turned from the window and looked at his sister. This was the biggest decision of his entire life. Once he started down this road, there would be no turning back.
Okay, he finally whispered. Let’s do it. Let’s find out who my wife really is.
Grace stood and hugged her brother tightly. I’m sorry, Desmond. I’m sorry it has to be this way.
Me too. At that exact moment, they heard Monica’s laughter floating up from downstairs. She was on the phone again her voice light and musical.
She sounded happy, carefree, like a woman without a single problem in the world. She sounded like a woman with secrets. And Desmond was about to uncover every single one.
The test was about to begin. A test that would expose the truth, shatter lies and change everything forever. Nobody, not Monica, not Desmond, not even Grace, could imagine what was about to happen next.
The next morning, Desmond woke up with a heavy feeling in his chest. He had barely slept. All night long he kept thinking about what he was about to do.
Fake his own death. Just thinking those words made him feel strange. Normal people didn’t do things like this.
Normal people talked to their wives. They went to marriage counseling. They worked things out.
But this wasn’t a normal situation. And Desmond needed answers that talking couldn’t give him. Monica was still asleep beside him, her face peaceful and beautiful.
Looking at her now, it was hard to believe she could be planning anything bad. She looked innocent. Sweet.
Like the woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago. But Desmond knew better now. He had learned that people could wear masks.
They could smile on the outside while plotting on the inside. He got out of bed quietly and went downstairs. The mansion felt too big and too empty, even though it was filled with expensive furniture and beautiful things.
Jason the driver was already awake in the kitchen making coffee. Good morning sir, Jason said with a warm smile. You’re up early.
Couldn’t sleep, Desmond replied honestly. Jason looked at him with concern. Is everything okay Mr. Adams? Desmond wanted to tell him everything.
Jason had been loyal for years. He was more than just a driver, he was a friend. But Desmond couldn’t involve him.
Not yet. The fewer people who knew about the plan the better. Everything’s fine Jason.
Just work stress, Desmond lied. Jason didn’t look convinced, but he nodded and poured Desmond a cup of hot coffee. An hour later, Grace arrived at the mansion.
She came through the back entrance so Monica wouldn’t see her. They had agreed to keep their meeting secret from now on. Desmond met her in his office and closed the door.
I brought someone, Grace said. Behind her Dr. Paul Thompson walked in. He was 50 years old with gray hair and kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.
He had been Desmond’s doctor since Desmond was 30. More importantly he was someone Desmond trusted completely. Desmond, Dr. Paul said shaking his hand.
Grace told me everything. Are you sure you want to do this? Desmond took a deep breath. I need to know the truth Paul.
I can’t live like this anymore always wondering always suspicious. If Monica loves me this will prove it. If she doesn’t.
He couldn’t finish the sentence. Dr. Paul sat down looking serious. All right.
If we’re going to do this we need to do it perfectly. One mistake and the whole thing falls apart. Grace pulled out a notebook.
I’ve been thinking about it all night. Here’s what we need to do. For the next two hours the three of them planned every single detail.
The plan was this. Desmond would go on a business trip. Something he did often so Monica wouldn’t suspect anything.
He would drive himself which was unusual but he would tell Monica that Jason needed time off for a family emergency. On the highway about two hours outside the city Desmond would stage a car accident. Dr. Paul would help make it look real.
They would use a remote location where there were no security cameras. The car would catch fire. Not a real fire but enough smoke and damage to make it look convincing.
Desmond would leave his wedding ring in the car partially melted so the police could identify his body but there would be no body. Desmond would escape before anyone arrived. Dr. Paul would create fake medical reports saying the body was burned beyond recognition and that dental records confirmed it was Desmond Adams.
It sounded like something from a movie. Crazy. Impossible.
Dangerous. But it could work. Where will you stay while you’re dead? Dr. Paul asked.
I own a small apartment downtown under a different name. Desmond explained. I bought it years ago as an investment.
Nobody knows about it. Not even Monica. I can hide there and watch everything that happens.
How will you watch? Grace asked. Desmond pulled out his phone and showed them. I installed security cameras all around this house six months ago.
Small ones. Hidden. They record everything.
The living room, the bedroom, Monica’s office, even the front gate. The footage goes straight to my phone. I can see and hear everything from anywhere.
Grace raised her eyebrows. You installed cameras six months ago? So you’ve been suspicious for that long? Desmond nodded sadly. I didn’t want to believe it.
But yes I’ve had doubts for a while now. Have you seen anything suspicious on the cameras? Dr. Paul asked. Not yet.
Monica’s been careful. But once she thinks I’m gone. Desmond’s gone.
She’ll stop being careful. Grace finished. She’ll show her true self.
Dr. Paul stood up and paced the room. This is risky Desmond. If anyone finds out what we did we could all go to jail.
Faking a death is a serious crime. I know. Desmond said quietly.
And I’m not asking you to risk yourself. If you don’t want to help I understand. Dr. Paul stopped pacing and looked at his old friend.
I’ve known you for 15 years Desmond. You’re one of the best men I’ve ever met. If your wife is plotting something terrible then you have every right to protect yourself.
I’ll help you. Desmond felt relief wash over him. Thank you Paul.
When do we do this? Grace asked. Desmond thought for a moment. Soon.
This week. I’ll tell Monica tomorrow that I have an emergency business meeting in another city. The sooner we do this the less chance something goes wrong.
They spend another hour going over every tiny detail. What Desmond would wear. What he would pack.
How Dr. Paul would handle the police and the medical reports. How Grace would support Monica publicly while secretly reporting everything back to Desmond. Finally when everything was planned Dr. Paul and Grace left through the back entrance one at a time so no one would see them together.
Desmond sat alone in his office staring at his hands. In a few days Desmond Adams would be dead. And everyone, his friends, his business partners, his employees, and his wife would believe it.
Everyone except the people who knew the truth. Desmond picked up a small photo from his desk. It was from his wedding day.
Monica looked so happy in that picture. Her arms around him. Her smile bright and real.
Or had it been fake even then. Soon he would know. The last normal day.
The next morning Desmond told Monica about the business trip. They were having breakfast together. Something that rarely happened anymore.
Monica was on her phone as usual scrolling through social media and barely touching her food. Monica, Desmond said gently. She looked up surprised that he was speaking to her.
Yes. I have to go on a business trip this Friday. There’s an important deal I need to close in person….
