The Wife He Let Go

The night my husband, William Costello, was assassinated by his enemies was supposed to be a celebration—our wedding anniversary. I was dressed in his favorite red dress, waiting for him, when the phone rang.

"Mr. Costello was shot at the harbor. The bullet went through the back of his head. He died on the spot."

I collapsed to the floor. I clung to his belongings, mourning for a week straight. We even lost our unborn child during this time.

Everyone said William and I were true love. Even the Don himself came to the funeral, resting a heavy hand on my shoulder with a sigh. He said, "All of Blackhaven knows you were the only woman he ever loved."

Grief nearly destroyed me. I stood at the river's edge, ready to follow William into the afterlife. However, I overheard my sister-in-law, Emily Hawkins, leaning into my brother-in-law, Jones Costello, her voice dripping with a twisted affection.

She purred, "William, I love you so much. Between Nina and me, who do you think is sexier?"

"Of course it's you, babe!" came the husky reply.

I stood frozen, my eyes wide and my body trembling. Why was Emily calling my brother-in-law by my husband's name?

"Aren't you the least bit sorry about Nina? She tried to kill herself three times over you," Emily Hawkins murmured, nestled in William Costello's arms.

"Jones died saving me. I should take care of you, give you and Jones a child, fulfilling his last wish. As for Nina..."

I held my breath, edging closer.

"She doesn't have the guts to kill herself. She's just being dramatic, so don't worry about her. Besides, she's not as fragile as you are. You need me more!"

I covered my mouth as my body slowly slid down the wall. Though the voice had the same tone as William's twin brother, Jones Costello, the speech pattern was unmistakably William's.

I could not believe that William was still alive. His death had caused me countless nights of suffering, and everyone had pitied me. Yet, he thought I was just being dramatic.

Years ago, we had made solemn vows—he swore I was the only one he would ever marry. I clutched the seal he had carved for me day and night, as if keeping him close to me. Ironically, the sweetness of our memories now filled me with a bitter chill.

Once, when I was kidnapped, he came alone to save me and was severely injured, leaving a scar on his body. He had kissed my tear-reddened eyes and comforted me by saying it was a mark of our love.

Now, he was on top of another woman.

Emily moaned and said, "William, you're so much better than Jones!"

"Babe, you're so tight! You feel so damn good!"

"William, deeper!"

Their gasps and moans grew louder, and nausea rose in my stomach. It all became painfully clear. The day Jones sacrificed himself, William had seamlessly slipped into his brother's life, conspiring with everyone else to deceive me.

I steadied myself against the wall as I returned to my room and pulled a letter I had sealed away a week earlier. It was from my childhood friend, Nathaniel Smith, who was about to leave for an island he had just purchased.

He had found me on the first day of William's supposed death and told me he had been waiting for me, ready to take me away whenever I wanted. My heart was full of William back then, so I immediately refused.

I dialed the number he had left and said, "Nathaniel, I've made up my mind..."

Nathaniel replied, "Good, I'll come get you."

"But William has a lot of power now. I'm afraid you'll become his target."

Nathaniel assured me, saying, "Don't worry, I'll bring you safely to me."

After hanging up, I stared at the fragmented moonlight reflected from my window—a mirror of my battered self. I silently counted, 'Four more days, and I'll be free...'