And then I stopped cold.
For illustrative purpose only
My mother-in-law. She lifted her glass in a mock toast and bothered.
“Oh,” she said lazily. “You weren’t supposed to burst in. That’s not very… you, honey.”
“What?”
“You’re always so… uncertain. I wasn’t expecting this side of you.” Her eyes roamed over my heaving chest, my wild hair, the remains of cake still smeared on my fingers. “Almost impressive for a gray little mouse like you.”
I ignored the insult.
“Where’s Thomas?”
“Oh, he’s at another hotel. Who leaves his wife alone on their anniversary? I saw an opportunity and took it.”
“Opportunity for what?”
“To get rid of you, sweetheart.”
“The cake…” I breathed.
She laughed, taking another slow sip.
“Oh, I baked it myself! Did you like it?”
“But why?”
“Oh, darling, you were never the right fit for my boy. But Alicia…” she gestured
lazily toward the still-flailing mess in the other room, “now, she is perfect. A successful model. Beautiful. Well-connected. You two have met now… how delightful!”
“You’re insane. Thomas loves me. You will never separate us.”
“Oh, now it’s just a bit trickier,” Gloria mused. “But don’t worry. I play the long game.”
“Thomas is going to find out, and you’ll regret ruining my day.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that, dear?”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and held it up between us. Gloria froze.
For illustrative purpose only
“Oh,” I mused, tapping the screen. “Didn’t I mention? I called Thomas the moment I entered this room. And when I realized the suit on the bed wasn’t his? I left the line open.”
“Mom, I can’t believe you! How could you?! We’ll talk later…” his voice was sharp with rage. “Anna, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Wait in the lobby.
And with that, I felt like I had won the Oscars.
