The Wife He Lost

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The Fall

The fifth day arrived with a strange calm.

It should’ve felt heavy. Final. Like the last breath before a storm. Instead, it felt clean. Sharp. Like my body and mind had already accepted what was coming, and all that remained was to walk through it.

I woke before dawn and lay still beside James, listening to his steady breathing. His face looked peaceful, almost boyish in sleep. For a moment I remembered the man he used to be. The one who smiled at me like I was the answer to every prayer he never admitted he had.

Then I remembered Valerie’s hand on her stomach.

I remembered Evelyn’s voice calling the baby an heir as if I were nothing.

And the memory faded.

When James finally stirred, I rolled out of bed and moved through my morning routine like always. Shower. Hair. Makeup done lightly but carefully. The mask had to fit perfectly today.

James watched me from the doorway while he adjusted his tie.

“You’re up early,” he said.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I replied.

He stepped closer, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “You’ve been… amazing with everything. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

I met his gaze, letting my eyes soften just enough. “It’s fine.”

He hesitated like he wanted to say more, then his phone buzzed. He glanced down immediately.

“There’s a meeting I can’t miss,” he said. “I’ll be back later. Take it easy, okay?”

“I always do,” I said.

He laughed lightly, kissed me again, and left.

As soon as the door shut, the house felt colder.

Evelyn was already in the kitchen when I walked in. She was drinking tea, posture straight, expression tight.

“Valerie needs breakfast in bed,” she said without looking up. “She didn’t sleep well.”

“I’ll handle it,” I replied.

Evelyn’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Of course you will.”

I cooked eggs, toasted bread, sliced fruit, and made ginger tea. I arranged everything neatly on a tray and carried it upstairs. Valerie’s door was open. She was sitting up against pillows, hair brushed, face carefully pale.

“Oh, thank you,” she said, smiling. “You’re too kind.”

“You should eat,” I replied.

She watched me set the tray down. “You look pretty today.”

“Thank you.”

Valerie’s eyes traced my face like she was searching for cracks beneath my skin. “James has been so attentive lately, hasn’t he?”

I kept my expression neutral. “He’s been concerned about your health.”

“And the baby,” she added softly, hand drifting to her stomach.

“Yes,” I said.

She smiled wider. “It’s funny. I never imagined I’d be living here. In your home. Eating breakfast you made.”

I looked at her calmly. “Things change.”

They did.

Valerie took a bite of toast and chewed slowly, watching me the whole time. “Are you going to the hospital today? I think Evelyn wants you to come with us.”

“I can,” I replied.

She tilted her head. “You’re very cooperative. Almost… too cooperative.”

“I’m trying to help.”

Valerie laughed quietly. “You’re such a good wife.”

The words dripped with mockery.

I did not respond. I turned and left the room.

Downstairs, Evelyn was waiting.

“She ate?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Evelyn nodded once. “Good. We don’t need stress. Not now.”

Not now.

As if my existence was inconvenient.

The morning passed slowly. I tidied the house, reviewed emails, and made arrangements for my departure. The suitcase was already packed in the back of my closet. The letter was written and sealed. The divorce papers were printed, filed, and waiting.

All I had to do was walk away.

But they had one more act planned for me.

In the afternoon, Valerie insisted on walking around the garden.

“It’s good for me,” she said, holding her belly theatrically. “Fresh air. Movement.”

Evelyn hovered like a guard. “Daphne, stay close.”

“I will,” I said.

Valerie linked her arm through mine as we stepped outside. Her touch was light but possessive, like she wanted to remind me she could.

“It’s a beautiful day,” she said brightly. “This baby is going to love it here.”

I stared ahead. “I’m sure.”

She leaned closer. “Do you ever wonder if this is how it was supposed to be? Me and James. A family. A child.”

My body stayed still. My mind stayed calm.

“Be careful where you walk,” I said instead.

Valerie smiled. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m very careful.”

We reached the stone steps leading down from the patio. I moved slightly ahead to make sure she had space.

And then she did it.

Valerie let out a sharp scream and threw her body sideways, collapsing dramatically. Her hands flew out as if she were trying to catch herself, and she hit the ground hard enough to make it convincing.

“Daphne,” she shrieked, voice filled with terror. “Why would you do that?”

Evelyn gasped. “Valerie!”

I stood frozen for half a second, not in shock, but in recognition.

So this was it.

Valerie clutched her stomach and sobbed loudly. “She pushed me. She pushed me on purpose!”

Evelyn rushed forward, eyes wild. “Daphne, what did you do?”

I looked down at Valerie. Her face was twisted in pain and triumph at the same time.

I spoke calmly. “I didn’t touch her.”

Valerie screamed louder. “Liar. I felt you. You pushed me because you hate my baby. You hate that James finally has an heir!”

Evelyn’s voice rose. “How could you be so cruel? After everything we’ve done for you?”

Done for me.

Footsteps pounded across the patio.

James.

He must’ve returned early. Or someone called him.

He stormed outside, face pale, eyes frantic. “What happened?”

Valerie sobbed harder the moment she saw him. “James, she pushed me. She tried to hurt the baby.”

James’s gaze snapped to me.

For a split second, I thought I might see doubt. Thought he might remember who I was. Thought he might ask for the truth.

Instead, his face twisted with rage.

“Is that true?” he demanded.

“No,” I said, voice steady. “She fell on purpose.”

Valerie wailed. “How can you say that? I’m in pain. Our baby.”

Our baby.

James’s breathing turned sharp. “Daphne… why?”

I stared at him. “I didn’t do anything.”

Evelyn pointed at me like I was a criminal. “She’s jealous. She’s always been jealous. She couldn’t give you a child and now she wants to destroy the one you have!”

James’s hands clenched into fists.

“Daphne,” he said again, voice shaking. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“I didn’t,” I repeated.

Valerie’s sobs turned into choking cries. “I can’t lose him. I can’t lose my baby.”

James moved toward her, dropping to his knees. “You’re not going to lose anything.”

Then he turned back to me.

His eyes were red. Not with grief.

With fury.

“You did this,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “You did this because you’re bitter.”

I took a breath. “James, look at me. I would never—”

His hand moved so fast I barely registered it.

The slap landed hard across my face, snapping my head to the side.

For a moment everything went silent.

The air. The birds. The entire world.

My skin burned where he hit me. My cheek throbbed. I tasted blood.

And still, I felt nothing.

No shock. No heartbreak. No panic.

Only clarity.

James stood over me, chest heaving. “If anything happens to that baby,” he said, voice trembling with threat, “you will pay for it. Do you understand me?”

I slowly turned my face back toward him.

His hand had struck me, but it had also severed the last thread of anything I might have still carried for him. Love. Hope. Attachment.

All gone.

Valerie lay on the ground, crying softly now, watching me with wide eyes. She expected me to collapse. To beg. To defend myself.

I did not.

Evelyn looked satisfied.

James scooped Valerie up carefully, holding her like she was precious.

“We’re going to the hospital,” he said harshly. “Stay out of my sight.”

He carried Valerie away, Evelyn following close behind, already pulling out her phone.

Celeste stood near the doorway, eyes gleaming like she had been waiting for this moment.

I stayed where I was for a few seconds, my hand slowly rising to touch my cheek.

It hurt.

But pain was simple.

Betrayal was complicated.

This was no longer complicated.

I walked back inside the house with perfect calm.

I went to the bathroom, rinsed the blood from my lip, and stared at my reflection.

My cheek was red. My eyes were steady.

I whispered to myself, barely audible.

“Thank you.”

Because now I had no reason to hesitate.

Now I could leave without any lingering doubt.

Now I could disappear exactly the way I promised.

And they would deserve every second of what came next.