Devour the poison: His revenge. Her secret.

Chapter 2

*Annabel*

My heart almost leaps out of my chest as they both look at me like I am the one who has wronged them these past five years.

“Were you listening this whole time?” Levi asks, suspicion written all over his face.

“N…no, actually, I was sleeping. Just woke up when I heard noises downstairs. Thought a thief had broken into the house, thinking no one was home.”

Even to myself, my words sound stupid, but to my surprise, they seem to buy it.

“Are you sure?” Daniel questions.

“Of course. I just got home. When did you get inside? I thought you left for work."

“I came back a few minutes ago. I actually thought you would be with Teresa by now."

Teresa is my best friend. Since I’m not allowed to work, I spend most of my time with her. She is an author and spends most of her time in her office at home.

“Nope. I came home when I was feeling tired. Tatiana is with her, though. She insisted on spending the night there.”

“Okay," they say in unison.

I force a smile, deliberately facing Levi instead of Daniel. "You are back!"

I then throw my arms around him in fake triumph.

He wraps his arms around me as well.

When I finally pull back, I see a hint of sadness in the depths of his brown eyes. He tries to smile, but I know deep down he feels broken—not as broken as I am, though. He has no right to feel that way; he left me for another woman. I am just a pawn in their game.

“I missed you too,”

They both share a look, silently threatening each other while hiding it behind fake smiles.

Not that I care; I am leaving this house as soon as possible.

“So, Annabel, how about you make us dinner?”

I burst into laughter, my heart pounding against my ribs. "Of course. You gentlemen should go downstairs and wait for me? I will join you shortly."

“Sure." As they are about to leave, Daniel’s eyes catch the briefcase on my bed.

Oh God, save me.

“Are you perhaps going somewhere, dear wife?”

Both of them glance at me with raised brows.

Words fail me. I have to scream at my brain before I can conjure a lie in my head. "Yeah, Teresa and I decided to go on a vacation. We are taking her children and Tatiana along. We’re planning to spend a few days. I was actually waiting for you to get home so I could inform you."

I really hope I make sense.

Daniel is silent for a while.

Levi finally utters, "Hmm, sounds like a nice idea.”

“Of course.”

“Okay, now please hurry up and make dinner for us. We are starving."

“Okay, husband.” I rise on my tiptoes and gently place a kiss on his lips.

Levi’s nose flares up, but he immediately masks it. When they finally leave the room, I exhale, relieved.

My entire body shakes. My vision tunnels.

I lean against the door to stop from falling to the floor.

Fuck, I can’t believe that just happened.

Packing my things into the suitcase, I take it back to the closet and then return to the room.

I spend a few minutes trying to compose myself before going downstairs, where the two brothers are waiting for me, seated on different couches in the living room with their legs crossed. I can feel the tense atmosphere.

“I'm sorry I kept you guys waiting.”

Levi stares so openly at me, his eyes tracing my entire body, making me feel uncomfortable; I shift from one foot to another.

“No problem, wifey.”

I smile. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," I say, praying I won’t stumble and slam my head on the floor tiles while rushing into the kitchen like I am so happy to be their cook for the day.

I decide to make mashed potatoes and chicken.

While I am busy cooking, Levi walks in and places his hand on my shoulder, startling me.

“Hey, baby."

Baby?

I instantly know this is the original. Even without having to look at him.

Daniel never called me baby during the five years I spent with him. He only called me wifey, wife, or sweetheart.

Pretending not to notice they have switched again, I smile, ignoring the chill that runs down my spine. I hate this—the fact that they both thought they could pass me between each other like I was some cloth.

“Hey, sweetie."

“I miss you so much, Annabel. I can't wait to feel you again."

“But we had s*x this morning, Levi."

That shocks him.

“Yeah, I know. I will always want and miss you." He grabs my ass and squeezes.

I clench my hand to stop myself from slapping his hands away.

This hand, once cherished, I now only want to cut off.

“Once I'm done eating your food, I want to eat you as well.”

“I would like to make love to you, as well, baby.” He leaves the kitchen, but not before slapping my ass hard. I jolt.

“Hurry up!" he calls.

I don't bother to respond.

Tears slide down my cheek. I wipe them away before they see.

What do they think my life means?

While eating, I stab at the potatoes, hand shaking.

Running tonight is not an option: Tatiana is at Teresa’s. If I leave, they go straight for her.

“Are you okay? You are sweating.” Levi speaks.

“I'm okay.”

The thirty minutes of dinner feel like thirty minutes of hell.

Next morning, immediately they leave for work, I grab the bags I packed then get into the car, driving far away from the house and my five years of fake marriage.

*********

That night, at Teresa’s

I pace my best friend’s living room, while she sits on a sofa with her arms crossed.

“You need to calm down,” she says.

“Calm down?” I throw my hands up exasperatedly, “Like, are you seriously asking me to calm down? I wasted five years of my life. I even had a child for the wrong man and you are telling me to calm down.”

“I know it's crazy, at the same time you still need to compose yourself, for Tatiana’s sake.”

My throat tightens. “You are right, I need to be strong for my daughter.”

Thousands of thoughts swirl in my head.

Where on earth will I go now?

The twins are after me. I have to take Tatiana to a very faraway place, where they won’t be able to get close to her or hurt her.

The idea of them hurting my daughter makes me want to ruin everything they believe in.

“You need to leave this place before they decide to come look for you here.”

“Mommy!” my daughter runs from the room to me, Aiden, Teresa’s son, at her pace.

“Hey, sweetie.” I pick her up, hugging her so tight I fear I might hurt her.

“Mommy, I miss you so much.”

I smile softly, “I miss you too, my love.”

“Are we going home now? I want to see daddy.”

“Daddy travelled, he asked us to wait for him in a very safe place. He will come and meet us once he's back.”

“Okay, Mommy, I want to go play with Aiden.”

“Alright, dear.”

I watch as both kids run after each other, going straight back to the room they came from.

“So what are you going to do now?”

I have no idea.

“I don't even know. My mind is so blank.”

“How about you go stay at a hotel for now, till we look for an alternative.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“That’s the best idea for now. I will drive you both to a hotel, before the twins get here. We need to act really fast.” She stands up from the chair and grabs the keys from the table. I call for Tatiana, who comes almost immediately.

“Mommy.”

“Hey, baby. We are leaving now.”

I grab her hand, leading her to the door.

Just as we are about to open the door and step out, a text comes through.

You can’t run away from us, Annabel. No matter where you run to, we are with you