Chapter 4: False Comfort
1571 Words
May's POV 🥀
"Hello sis...Nice of you to join us. We have looked all over for you." she squealed, pulling me into a hug that smelled like expensive perfume and lies."You look amazing, babe! I missed you!"
The bile rose in my throat, but I smiled sweetly.
"I missed you too," I lied easily, my voice steady.
She linked her arm through mine, squeezing lightly. "We have to catch up! So much has happened!"
Oh, I bet it had.
I bet they already had secret rendezvous planned. I bet they were already plotting how to slice me apart piece by piece - emotionally, mentally... until nothing was left but a hollow version of myself.
"Really? Like what?" I asked, tilting my head just enough to feign curiosity.
Chloe sidled up beside him, her hand brushing his. Not even subtle.
I let it hang in the air for a second, then tilted my head and asked, "You two seem... close lately. Anything I should know?"
Daniel's jaw tightened. Chloe laughed nervously.
"We're just working together a lot. You know, team spirit."
Chloe's eyes sparkled. "And, you know... work's been hectic, Daniel's been swamped too. We've had to meet up so many times to finalize campaign things. And I'm practically his shadow these days!"
How poetic, I thought. Snakes do prefer the shadows.
"Wow," I said, my tone light. "Sounds like you two have gotten... close. I do love a good team," I said sweetly. "Especially when everyone's playing their proper positions."
I watched her flinch. Daniel stared at me for a moment, confused. Suspicious.
She giggled. "Not like that! Come on, May."
Her eyes flicked away just a second too quickly.
Liar.
"Don't worry," I said, my voice like sugar laced with glass. "You can always tell me anything. You know me - loyal to the end."
"Of course," she said, smiling, but her fingers twitched where they still clung to my arm.
I caught the tremble.
Good.
"Let's get some drinks," she chirped, recovering fast."I need the gossip - how is your new project going?"
I gave her a slow, dangerous smile.
"Oh, everything is perfect. I will be concluding them by Monday."
"What about you Chloe. Have you met someone new? Come on now, don't make me beg. Don't leave me hanging."
She blinked, caught off guard.
"Yes, I have. You'll meet him soon," she said with a smug little smirk, like her words were supposed to sting.
"Good for you," I said sweetly. "I hope he's everything you deserve."
she just smiled.
Chloe practically dragged me toward the drink table. Her laugh rang out like chimes, too loud, too polished - like she needed everyone to notice...to believe we were still best friends. As if that would erase what I knew.
I reached for a glass of red wine and handed it to her with a smile. "Cheers," I said. "To new beginnings."
She clinked her glass to mine. "To us."
Then I "accidentally" lost grip of mine.
The wine spilled in a deep crimson wave across her silk dress, soaking the front with a splatter that looked like blood.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, looking down in horror.
"Oh no!" I gasped, hand to my mouth. "I am so sorry, Chloe!"
I lunged forward with napkins, blotting at her dress. "Let me help-oh no, it's really not coming off-this is a nightmare, I feel awful!"
Everyone around us had turned to look. Phones hovered, eyes watched. Her cheeks flushed as she snatched the napkins from me.
"It's fine," she hissed, voice tight. "I'll go clean up."
"Let me help—"
Her cheeks burned as she grabbed my wrist. "It's fine. I'll-I'll just go to the ladies' room."
"I'll come with-"
"No," she cut in, voice strained but trying to stay polite. "It's fine."
Gotcha!
She spun around and stalked off, clutching her bag to her chest.
I watched her go.I did not even trying to hide my satisfaction.
I waited...then followed-not to the ladies' room. Chloe was too vain for fluorescent bathroom lights. She'd find somewhere more private to sulk.
And she did.
Outside. Near the garden terrace.
She wasn't alone.
Daniel was there with her. Leaning against the marble column.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, placing a hand on Chloe's waist.
"Your witch ruined my dress," she hissed, her voice sharp and low. "She poured the damn wine on me on purpose, I know it."
Daniel chuckled, brushing a thumb across her cheek. "She's harmless. Probably just clumsy like always."
Chloe scoffed. "No. She looked me dead in the eyes and smiled before doing it. That wasn't clumsy. That was war."
"Well," Daniel murmured, stepping in closer, "let's not let her ruin our night."
He had her pressed up against the wall like two villains in a soap opera. Hands on her waist, whispering something that made her giggle.
Their lips met in a kiss that made my stomach churn.Disgust crawled down my spine.
I watched from the shadows, every muscle stiff. Every breath slow. I felt the bitterness rise in my chest-but I forced myself to stay still, hidden in the shadows. Watching. Memorizing.
"Did she suspect anything?" he asked.
" No! Of course not." Chloe whispered, her fingers toying with his tie. "And honestly? It's fun watching her, pretending like everything is fine. But she's different lately... colder. It's weird."
"She'll be out of the way soon. She won't be a problem much longer." he murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "And when she is... we'll be free."
My breath caught. My hands curled into fists at my sides.
"So that's the plan, huh?"
He tucked a strand of hair behind Chloe's ear and whispered something too low for me to hear-but the way she nodded, the way she smirked up at him like a queen who'd just signed a death warrant,like she was a queen granting execution. That made my blood run cold.
So that's it. They're planning something. Again. They thought I didn't see.They thought I was weak.
They were wrong. But this time, I wasn't the helpless wife dying in silence.
I was the storm coming for them both.
I turned and walked away silently, like nothing had happened, heels clicking on the marble floor, face calm, heart pounding like war drums. A plan already forming in my mind.
Inside, the lights sparkled, laughter rose, and music thumped through the air. People passed with glasses of champagne, none of them knowing the betrayal, the poison brewing just a few feet away outside.
I made my way to the balcony-needed air, needed space to think. That kiss, their smug faces, the way Daniel said "She won't be a problem much longer."
He used those words once before...
Right before he killed me.
But not this time.
This time, I had the upper hand.
"May?"
I turned.
James.
His tux immaculate, his gaze steady. His expression was a mix of concern and curiosity, his brow furrowed as he approached. There was something about the way he looked at people-like he already knew their secrets.
I felt a sense of comfort in his presence, a stark contrast to the tension that surrounded me.
"I was hoping to find you," he said. "You look like you're about to burn the place down."
"Funny," I replied, lips curling. "Didn't know you came for the event. It's good to see you."
He handed me a fresh drink, his eyes never leaving mine." Yeah, I did. So... how are you?"
I sipped my drink, watching the ice swirl. "I'm good, and you?"
James tilted his head slightly, studying me. "You don't look good. You look... furious."
I gave a soft laugh. "Do I? I'm trying to be on my best behavior tonight. I didn't know you paid attention."
"I pay attention to everything," James said, stepping closer. "Especially when it concerns my most valuable executive."
That made me smile again. "Careful, James. People might think you're playing favorites."
He smirked. "Let them. You've always had a fire in you, May. But I don't think if you were built for pretending."
That made me pause.
I glanced over at him, eyes narrowing. "And what makes you think you know how I was built?"
He leaned against the balcony railing, that lazy grin tugging at his lips. "Let's just say, I've watched you longer than you think. You've changed."
"Change is the only way to survive," I said quietly.
James nodded, eyes darkening just a little. "That's true. But you're not just surviving, are you?"
I said nothing.
He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Something's going on, May. I saw Chloe rush out earlier, and then I saw you... standing in the shadows. Watching her and Daniel."
I turned my face toward the city skyline, pretending to admire the view. "Maybe I was just admiring the architecture."
"Don't lie to me," he said, more serious now. "I know the difference between curiosity and revenge. Which one is it?"
My jaw tensed. "What if I said both?"
James didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled like he'd expected it. "Then I'd say... I want in. I want to be a part of it."
That made me laugh, a soft, unexpected burst. "You want in? On what?"
"Whatever war you're planning," he said, his voice smooth but deadly serious.
I turned to him fully now, curious. "Why would you want in?"
- Writer
