Adrian stared at the message until the screen went dark. Then he tapped it awake again. The photo hadn't changed. A quiet suburban flat. Anita's elegant fingers visible on the steering wheel.
Roses. Please come home soon. I miss you.
He sent it before he could stop himself. His thumb hovered over the delete button for three full seconds, but he left it. Better to feed the monster than starve it.
The apartment felt smaller. The walls pressed in. He could hear the low hum of the refrigerator, the distant traffic, and the soft ticking of the clock Anita had bought "for their future."
Every sound intensified and Adrian was getting over-whelmed.
He forced himself to move. Cleared the half-eaten breakfast. Washed the plates with enthusiasm levels that were never seen before. Dried them. Put them away. All while his mind replayed the nightmare on loop. The wet sound of the knife, Jessica's gurgling, Anita's bloody smile.
By the time he sat down on the couch, his shirt was damp with sweat.
His phone buzzed.
Anita: Good boy. đź’•Knew you'd choose roses. They suit her better anyway. She's a little pale.
Attached was a new photo.
Anita's boney fingers, holding a bouquet of white roses. They looked bright, angelic even. In front of her, the phone had captured the half-hidden face of Jessica just as she opened the door, frozen mid-frame.
Adrian's stomach clenched so hard he tasted acid.
-
Jessica looked so much smaller in person.
She opened the door with that sleepy, hungover expression, clearly expecting a delivery. The moment her eyes landed on me, her face went deathly pale. Her hand froze on the edge of the door like it could somehow protect her.
How fucking adorable.
I smiled gently and stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The lock engaged automatically. Perfect.
"Hi, Jessica," I said warmly, letting my voice wrap around her name like silk.
"I'm Anita. Adrian's wife."
The wife of the man who you've been trying to get into bed with for so fucking long.
Her gaze darted from the roses in my hands to my face, then to the purse on my shoulder. She was trying so hard to be polite. Trying to rationalize. Humans are so predictable when they're scared.
"I… I'm sorry, do I know you?" she stammered.
"Not yet." I tilted my head, studying her. She really was just a pathetic little insect.
"But you've been spending time with my husband. At the gym. Laughing. Helping him with his form." I kept my smile perfectly sweet.
"That was very kind of you."
She took one careful step back.
"Look, I don't know what you think is happening, but nothing—"
I moved quickly, placing the roses on her coffee table before stepping so close that she could smell my perfume. She reeked of cheap alcohol and sweat.
"I know exactly what's happening," I whispered, leaning in.
"You smiled at him. You touched his arm. You made him laugh. For a moment… he looked at you like he used to look at me."
I reached out and gently brushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. So soft. So fragile. Thank god I picked white roses.
She flinched.
My expression softened, almost motherly.
"I'm not angry, sweetheart. Not really. Women like you just don't understand boundaries. You see a handsome, married man who looks a little lost and you think you can fix him. Save him."
I let out a soft, musical laugh.
"But he's already mine. In every way that matters."
I pulled out the small silver dumbbell keychain and let it dangle between us.
"Recognize this?"
Her face drained of color.
"I found it in the parking lot last night," I continued casually.
"After I followed you home. You really should be more careful, Jessica. Leaving things behind like that… it's almost like you wanted me to find you."
Her breathing turned shallow. "Please… I swear I didn't—"
"Shh." I pressed one finger to her trembling lips. "I'm not going to kill you."
I let the silence stretch, savoring her fear.
Then I smiled wider.
"…Today."
I leaned in until our foreheads almost touched.
"I could, though. Right now. No one knows I'm here. I'm very good at making problems disappear. But I love my husband. And he's… sensitive. He has nightmares about me. Isn't that funny?"
A girlish giggle slipped out of me.
"So I'm giving you a choice. A generous one."
I slid my hand down to her throat, resting it there gently. Just enough for her to feel the promise.
"Stay away from Adrian. Delete his number. Change gyms. If I ever see you near him again… I won't be this polite. I'll make sure the only thing he receives from you is whatever I decide to send him in a little box. Maybe your pretty fingers…" I traced one slowly down her cheek.
"…Or those nice green eyes he kept glancing at."
She was trembling. Tears slid down her cheeks.
I wiped one away with my thumb, then licked it slowly, savoring the salty taste.
"And if you tell anyone about this visit… I'll know. I always know. Then I won't bother being creative. I'll just make it hurt."
I stepped back, placed the roses gently into her shaking hands, and gave her my brightest smile.
"These are from Adrian. He picked roses. He said they suit you. Tell him thank you… if you ever see him again. Which you won't."
I turned toward the door, then looked over my shoulder one last time, letting my eyes go flat and dead.
"If you think I'm bluffing… remember how easily I found you. I can find you again. Anytime. Even in your dreams."
I left humming softly, closing the door behind me with a cheerful wave.
-
The front door opened at 4:47 PM.
I heard the familiar click of the lock, then the soft sound of her heels. My stomach churned before I even saw her.
Anita stepped inside carrying the faint scent of roses… and something metallic underneath. She looked perfectly normal. Happy. Like she'd just come back from something pleasant.
She kicked off her heels and crawled straight into my lap like an affectionate cat, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her body pressed against mine as she nuzzled into my throat and inhaled deeply.
"Mmm. You smell like fear and bacon. Cute."
My hands stayed limp at my sides. I didn't dare touch her.
"How… how was your day?" I managed.
"Productive," she purred against my skin. "I delivered the flowers. She loved them. Cried, actually. Said to tell you thank you."
She pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. Her gaze was searching. Playful. Terrifying.
"She promised she won't be going to the gym anymore. Said she's switching to a new one across town. Isn't that nice of her?"
My world tilted. I couldn't breathe properly. Was she lying? Had she actually done something horrible? Or was this just another game?
I couldn't tell.
I never could anymore.
Anita leaned in and kissed me. Slowly at first, then deeper, demanding. I kissed her back out of pure instinct, out of fear. When she finally pulled away, she rested her forehead against mine, our breaths mixing.
"You're mine, honeybee," she whispered against my lips. "And I'll keep proving it as many times as it takes. Until even your nightmares understand."
She smiled that sweet, innocent smile — the same one that used to make my heart flutter.
Now it only made it freeze.
"Forever."