Chapter 4

Colette sat on the edge of her bed, her heart pounding as she dialed Matt’s office number. She felt a pang of guilt and self-loathing for what she was about to do, but she needed to know. The phone rang twice before the familiar, gentle voice answered.

“Matt Angelis’ office, Tanya speaking.”

“Tanya, it’s me, Mrs. Angelis,” Colette said, trying to maintain a light tone despite the tightness in her chest. She remembered Tanya, the receptionist who always wore floral dresses and bohemian jewelry, a nice girl with a soft-spoken temperament.

“Oh! Hello, Mrs. Angelis,” Tanya greeted her with a hint of surprise, her voice breathless. “How can I help you?”

“Listen, Tanya, Matt was in such a hurry this morning that he completely forgot to tell me the venue of the gala tonight. Silly me, I didn’t catch it either,” Colette said, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to her own ears. She hated having to resort to this ruse, feeling the disgust rising within her.

“Oh! The gala is at the Chandeliers, as always,” Tanya replied softly.

“Of course, as always,” Colette echoed, trying to keep her voice casual.

“Mr. Angelis and Ms. Iris left for the gala a few minutes ago,” Tanya continued, oblivious to the impact of her words. “I heard it’s going to be even bigger than last year.”

Another knife twisted in Colette’s chest, aiming straight for her heart. She gripped the phone tighter, fighting to keep her composure. When would she learn? When would she stop?

“Thanks, Tanya,” Colette said, biting her lip to keep her voice steady.

“No problem, Mrs. Angelis. Enjoy the gala.”

“Mine!” he had said as they lay in each other’s arms after the culmination of their lovemaking, tucking her stray hairs behind her ears and staring lovingly into her eyes. “No one! No one but me gets to see you in that scandalous dress, got it?” All flushed and out of breath, Colette had thought his possessiveness was because he loved her. It was only later that she realized his possessiveness was just that—his desire to have and hold the absolute power. Because she was his—not wife or partner, but a thing, his possession under his absolute control.

Matt didn’t like flaunting his possessions, that were solely his to enjoy, not unless it helped him in business somehow. But tonight, things would change. He had always seen her as a sex toy, treated her that way as well, never given her the right to be his partner, his champion—so tonight she would be just that! The sex toy, the sexy body on display and nothing more. He had always seen her like that, so tonight, she would show the world that too.

Her hands were shaking as she put the dress on and sat down to do her makeup. She botched her eyeliner twice before getting it right, shivering with anger, betrayal, but most of all—fear. Because she didn’t know who she was going to punish with this. Was Matt even going to care? Colette gulped down the tears that suddenly rose to her throat and looked into the mirror, staring right into her afraid eyes. So much planning, such preparation to do what? Colette knew the answer to that—she was going to punish herself tonight, humiliate herself for the last time for ever falling in love with this man.

She took a cab to the Chandeliers instead of calling for her personal driver. The night was cool and serene, with a beautiful full moon in the sky, but she felt nothing, saw nothing until the cab stopped right in front of the grand hotel, looming like a palace against the night sky. She got out of the cab and stared ahead. This was the beginning of the end.