MY WIFE IS A SERIAL KILLER

TWO FACES

Willow's POV

I was excited. Finally, I was going home.

I hadn't seen my family in an entire month because of work, and the thought of seeing them again made my chest feel lighter than it had in weeks.

I missed my husband and children.

I missed the ordinary little things I usually complained about—the noise in the house, the arguments over what to watch on television, and Lenco reminding me for the hundredth time to stop leaving my shoes by the door.

For once, I wasn't thinking about work.

I was thinking about home.

I'd just completed the task my supervisor, Dave, had assigned to me when my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out and looked at the screen.

Good job.

That was all.

No congratulations. No questions.

Just two words.

I stared at the message for a moment before locking my phone and slipping it back into my pocket.

Before leaving for the airport, I'd wrapped up the assignment involving Sandee Corporation's latest legal problem. Dave had already handled the rest, making sure there was nothing that could easily be traced back to me.

Still, I didn't allow myself to relax.

I never did.

At the airport, I entered the restroom and changed my clothes and shoes. I applied doll-like makeup, then put on a ginger-colored wig and gray contact lenses. I finished the disguise with a pair of thick, cat-eyed glasses before checking my reflection carefully.

The woman staring back at me didn't look like Willow anymore.

Good.

That was the point.

I boarded my flight without drawing attention to myself.

When I finally arrived at San Francisco International Airport, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Home.

I went into the restroom again and changed back into my usual clothes. I cleaned off my makeup, removed the wig and contact lenses, washed my hands, and stared at my reflection for a few seconds.

Willow was back.

The mother.

The wife.

The woman who had supposedly been away because of work.

I grabbed my bags and headed home.

The moment I opened the door, I froze.

Something was different.

The entire house was decorated.

Balloons filled the living room. Streamers hung across the walls, and the dining table was covered with food.

For a moment, I simply stood there.

It looked like a surprise party.

Then my children came running toward me.

“Mom!”

I dropped my bags just in time to catch them.

I hugged them tightly, closing my eyes as I breathed them in.

I'd missed this.

I'd missed them more than I wanted to admit.

Lenco approached a moment later, smiling warmly.

I hugged him too.

“I missed you, Lenco…” I muttered as I breathed in my favorite scent.

After pulling away, I looked around the room, confused.

I glanced at the children before looking back at Lenco.

“Mommy, you made it for Daddy's birthday "

Campbell giggled.

My smile disappeared.

My eyes widened.

Oh my God.

Lenco's birthday.

I had forgotten.

Completely.

I turned toward him.

“Oh my God…”

I rushed toward him and wrapped my arms around him.

“Lenco, I'm so sorry. Business with Sandee Corporation has been a complete nightmare this week. My head is so fried I don't even know what month it is,” I said, giving him an apologetic smile. “I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow.”

He smiled.

“It's fine.”

He kissed my cheek.

“Having you home is enough.”

Before I could say anything else, Lenco reached for my main luggage.

“Let me take this upstairs for you so you can relax—”

“No!”

My hand shot out, catching his wrist with enough force to stop him in his tracks.

My pulse spiked.

Pure muscle memory.

For weeks, I'd been moving on instinct, always alert, always ready to react.

But this was Lenco.

My husband.

I stared into his confused eyes and realized what I'd just done.

I quickly loosened my grip.

For a moment, we stared at each other.

Then I forced a small smile.

“I mean... don't worry about it, babe.”

I slowly let go of his wrist.

“It's your birthday. Go sit with the kids. I'll take my luggage upstairs.”

I picked up the main luggage myself and headed toward the stairs.

When I reached our room, I closed the door behind me and let out a deep sigh.

I had to be more careful.

I placed the smaller bag on the bed and opened it.

I began unpacking, checking through everything inside.

Then I frowned.

The scarf.

It wasn't there.

I searched through the bag again, moving everything aside and checking every compartment.

Nothing.

My heartbeat quickened.

The scarf I'd used to get into the church and gain access to the priest.

Blood had gotten on it during the assignment.

I'd planned to deal with it once I got home.

But now, it was missing.

I froze.

Then a thought hit me.

When I'd walked into the house earlier, I'd still been carrying the smaller bag.

I'd set it down for a moment when the children came running toward me.

I must have left the scarf loose inside.

My stomach dropped.

It could have fallen out when I was hugging the kids.

Downstairs.

I swallowed hard.

What if someone had seen it?

What if Lenco had picked it up?

I rushed toward the bedroom door.

I had to find it.