Chapter 2

I pulled up the security camera footage on my tablet and fast-forwarded through the last month.

Early in the month: Jessica, arm-in-arm with Kevin, walking into our house.

They left two hours later, her arms full of clothes.

Mid-month: Kevin carrying her over the threshold, bridal style. He didn't leave until the next morning.

Two nights ago: The two of them sneaking in under the cover of darkness, leaving just after sunrise yesterday.

All of these were days when I was miles away, combing through treacherous terrain, calling her name until my voice was raw.

Tears fell as I watched. Not for her, but for myself. For the fool I'd been, giving my all to someone so vile.

While I was sleepless with worry, she was here, with her "best friend," sleeping in our home, probably in our bed.

My fists clenched, my knuckles white. I fought to control the rage boiling inside me.

A moment later, my phone, still lying on the coffee table, began to ring.

I was in no mood to answer, but the caller was persistent, dialing again and again.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over and glanced at the screen. My eyes widened. It was her aunt. I quickly answered. "Aunt Sophia? Is everything alright?"

"Jessica's not dead."

A second later, a video popped up on my screen.

I opened it. It was Jessica and Kevin, their arms linked, drinking from each other's glasses, their eyes locked in a gaze so intense it was practically obscene.

My breath hitched. My fingers trembled as I spoke. "I know."

There was a surprised pause on the other end, then a low chuckle. "And you're still planning a funeral?"

"Everyone told me she was dead. I believed them. A funeral seems appropriate."

Sophia was quiet for a moment. "So, you're a widower now?"

"Yes," I said.

Sophia was Jessica's aunt by marriage, and younger than Jessica by a year.

We'd barely ever interacted. But she was the first person to tell me the truth. I owed her for that.

"Aunt Sophia, if you have the time, you're welcome to come and pay your respects in seven days."

"Of course. I'll be there."

Another video arrived. This time, someone in the bar was showing Jessica my group text on their phone.

She slammed her glass down, shattering it on the table.

Kevin flinched, then wrapped an arm around her, whispering something in her ear.

The bar was too loud for me to hear, but I saw Jessica's anger visibly melt away.

She buried her face in his chest.

She must have been furious about the funeral announcement.

But it was stunning to see how quickly Kevin could calm her down.

Whenever she was angry with me, it took a full night of me "reflecting on my mistakes" and a groveling apology before she would even consider forgiving me.

I closed my stinging eyes and saved both videos.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, a call came in. It was Kevin.

I answered, and the blaring music of the bar assaulted my ears.

"Jacob, you're holding a funeral for Jessica?" he yelled over the noise.

"Are you insane? I'm telling you, cancel it! Or you'll be sorry when she gets back!"

I hung up before he could finish and, grabbing a blanket, curled up on the sofa.

It was the most peaceful night's sleep I'd had in three months.

The next morning, I took my documents to the records office and had Jessica's legal status updated.

After that, I drove to Kevin's apartment.

His door was closed. I rang the bell again and again until it finally swung open.

He stood there in a bathrobe, leaning against the doorframe.

A trail of fresh, angry-red marks snaked up his neck, disappearing under the collar.

"Jacob? What are you doing here?"

My gaze shifted from his neck to his face, meeting his contemptuous stare.

"I came to invite you to Jessica's funeral. As her best friend, I thought you should be there."

Kevin scoffed. "Jacob, you're her husband! She's missing, no body, no trace, and instead of looking for her, you're burying her?"

"What if she's not dead? You're basically wishing death on her! What kind of husband does that?"

I pulled the newly issued death certificate from my jacket.

"She's been buried in snow for three months. I couldn't find her, so I had her declared dead."

A humorless smile touched my lips. "Besides, weren't you all telling me to move on?"

When the news first broke, I had fainted.

I woke up the next morning surrounded by Jessica's friends, all of them wearing solemn masks.

"Jacob, the area where she went missing is treacherous. It's almost impossible to find anyone. Maybe you should just let it go."

"Yeah, it's too dangerous. You can't go up there."

I'd ignored them, booked a flight, hired a search and rescue team, and disappeared into the mountains for two weeks, searching relentlessly.

I hadn't noticed it then, but now I remembered. There had been no real concern in their eyes. Only a glint of amusement.

As I stood there, a loud crash came from inside Kevin's apartment. His face paled.

"Jacob, don't you dare pull any stunts!" he threatened. "Jessica won't let you get away with it when she comes back!"

Just like the night before, I acted as if I hadn't heard a thing.

Kevin shot me a furious glare and slammed the door in my face.