Page 66 of The Truth in My Lies (Secrets of Suburbi 1)

“Plans change.”

“This was going to work. Take the tape off the cameras before he gets home. We’ll capture it on film. We’ll get him sent away.”

I’d had all afternoon to think about the plan. And I didn’t want to send him away. I wanted him to stop breathing. There would be no prison bars for my dear husband. I still planned on burying him in the backyard. “I don’t want you watching me.”

He groaned, as if I was the most frustrating human being he had ever met. When in reality, he was the frustrating one.

“Addy, listen to me…”

“I’ve done enough listening. Go have fun on your date and forget you ever met me.”

“Forget I ever met you? What are you talking about? I can’t just sit here knowing what you’re planning to do. You can’t kill your husband, Addy!”

Oh yes I can.

“Adeline, I’m home!” my husband said from the hallway.

I hadn’t even heard him walk in. How long had he been here? Ben was already ruining my weekend before it had even begun. “Would you please be so kind as to place me on your do not call list?” I said, waiting for my husband to emerge into the kitchen.

“Is he there?” asked Ben. “Jesus, Addy, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Thanks. You have a good day too. Bye.”

Right before I hung up, I heard Ben say: “How can you even ask me to forget about you? You know how I feel about you, Addy.”

I pressed the end call button. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was slamming into my ribcage. I thought I knew how he felt. But all of that was a lie. I wasn’t sure why I was stuck on that part of the conversation. I should have been worried that Ben would try to stop me. He said he wouldn’t sit around while I killed my husband. And he didn’t know that I was waiting on a very important Amazon order. He might think I was going to try to kill him tonight. Or sometime this weekend. I bit the inside of my lip. What if he showed up here trying to stop me?

“Who was on the phone?” my husband asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“Just a telemarketer. How was the rest of your week?”

“Good.” He cupped my face in his hand. “But I was worried about you.”

“I’ve been doing a lot better. I’ve been taken my pills again. And you’re right. I needed them. I’m so sorry that I worried you. But everything’s fine now.” It was easy to smile. Because soon everything would be fine. As long as Ben stayed out of my way.

“Let’s go out and celebrate tonight,” I said. I couldn’t stay here, waiting for Ben to barge in and ruin all my plans. At dinner I’d sneak away to the bathroom and send Ben a text. I’d let him know that I wasn’t planning on going through with it this weekend.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Adeline. There’s a lot to celebrate tonight. I have some exciting news as well. Call and make a reservation while I go freshen up.” He placed a kiss against my lips. “We have a lot to talk about tonight.”

Somehow I was able to manage a calm, “That’s lovely,” before he exited the kitchen. What the hell else are we celebrating?

Chapter 32

My husband reached for my hand in the middle of the table. I was trying to grab a roll. Couldn’t he see that? My stomach growled as he kept my hand in his. I stared at the rolls longingly.

“Adeline?”

I looked up at him. There was a tiny spot of salad dressing on the side of his mouth. A good wife would tell him about it. But that certainly wasn’t me. Instead, I smiled, enjoying the fact that he was making a fool of himself.

“It’s good to see you so happy,” he said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen your smile so carefree.”

It was true. I couldn’t contain my excitement for next weekend. Hopefully he wasn’t growing suspicious. “I really do feel great. I’m sorry I worried you earlier this week.”

“It’s alright. I know that sometimes the autumn is hard for you.”

The smile twitched on my face. It was like he wanted my good mood to crumble.

He sighed and leaned forward. The elbows of his crisp suit looked out of place on the linen tablecloth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned that.” He squeezed my hand.

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