Chapter 5 - THE WIFE WHO NEVER EXISTEDThe woman in the photograph was named Amelia.
She had married Ethan six months before Claire.
At least according to the hidden records.
There was no marriage certificate.
No public announcement.
No wedding photograph.
No divorce filing.
Nothing.
She had simply disappeared.
Claire looked at the date.
April 14.
The same day Ethan had vanished.
The same day his mother had forced Claire to leave.
The same day Amelia disappeared.
Claire whispered:
“Where is she?”
The answer came slowly.
“She died.”
“How?”
“Officially?”
The man looked away.
“Car accident.”
“And unofficially?”
“Someone killed her.”
Claire closed her eyes.
The room seemed to spin.
“Why did nobody tell me?”
“Because they didn't want you to become the next victim.”
Claire stood.
“Who killed her?”
The man looked at the ledger.
“Your husband knows.”
Ethan returned to the hotel.
The ballroom had been cleared.
Flowers were being removed.
Tables dismantled.
The wedding cake sat untouched beneath a plastic cover.
He stood alone.
Olivia had left.
His family had gone.
The guests had disappeared.
The perfect wedding was now an empty room.
Then the hotel manager approached.
“Mr. Carter?”
Ethan looked up.
“There is something you should see.”
The manager handed him a small envelope.
“Someone left this for you.”
Ethan opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Amelia.
His face went pale.
On the back:
YOU FORGOT YOUR FIRST WIFE.
Then his phone rang.
Claire.
He answered.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere you can't reach.”
“Claire, listen to me.”
“No.”
“I can explain.”
“I know about Amelia.”
Silence.
Ethan stopped breathing.
Claire continued.
“I know she existed.”
“Claire…”
“I know she died.”
He closed his eyes.
“I didn't kill her.”
“Then tell me who did.”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I swear.”
Claire's voice trembled.
“Then why did your mother tell me to disappear?”
Ethan couldn't answer.
“Why did your father threaten my life?”
Silence.
“And why,” Claire whispered, “does the ledger have my father's name?”
Ethan looked around the empty ballroom.
“I need to see you.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“You had three years.”
She ended the call.
Ethan stood alone.
Then he heard footsteps.
Olivia appeared.
She had returned.
Her eyes were red.
“Ethan.”
He turned.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came for the truth.”
He stared.
“What truth?”
She held up a folder.
“I found this in your office.”
She opened it.
Inside was a marriage certificate.
Ethan Carter.
Amelia Ross.
Date: October 14.
Twenty-four months before Claire's marriage.
Ethan stared.
Olivia whispered:
May you like
“You didn't have one ex-wife.”
“You had two.”
Related Stories
