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Lily pouted,trying to brush it off.
But Eric,hormonal and"sensitive,"stayed silent,brows furrowed.
Lily went all-in,melting into him,hand wandering.
"Let's skip the boring stuff and have fun.It's been so long..."
She tried everything,but Eric didn't respond.I nearly died laughing.
He was a"pregnant man"—hardly a man at all.
Lily's efforts failed,hurting her pride.She sulked.
"Eric,you've made up with her,haven't you?Saving yourself for her?"
"Shut up!"
Eric,irritated,grabbed cigarettes and lit it, but he soon stopped,his body reacting.
Lily pressed."Why won't you touch me?I thought you wanted to marry me."
"What ifwe could be together only after she’s dead?"
Eric's eyes narrowed at that sentence.
"You're right.Maybe only her death can end this."
Lily flinched."What?"
Eric stroked his chin."To live large,$50,0000 isn't enough."
"Our company gives every employee commercial insurance.An accident pays out a million,not to mention other insurances her family bought."
My heart sank.
This monster was plotting murder?
Lily hesitated but grew excited as Eric elaborated.
They schemed to make my death an"accident."
I listened,nails digging into my palms.
Back from the trip,Eric greeted me warmly.
"Honey,give me your bags.Dinner's ready."
My expression remained ice-cold.He knelt in front of me dramatically.
"Honey,I'm truly sorry.Forgive me,or hit me."
He crawled forward,making me slap his face.
Why not?
I slapped hard.Eric clenched his teeth,but he forced a smile.
"Good slap!If it makes you feel better,beat me to death."
He could win an Oscar with his acting.Why hadn't he gone to Hollywood?
Seeing my expression soften,he led me to the table.
It was laden with my favorite dishes.
"Try it,honey.I worked hard."
He touched his belly,gentle."Even if you're mad,think of our baby."
His revolting gesture gave me a shudder,but I sat down nevertheless.
For days,Eric played the perfect husband and father.
Despite pregnancy discomfort,he prioritized me,like when he'd courted me.
He fussed over even a cough from me.
I played along,pretending to forgive him.
Two weeks later,his belly swelled.
Colleagues teased his"weight gain."Eric didn’t have the mood to laugh with them.
With old grudges mixed with new hatred and fear of exposure,his urge to kill me grew.
That night,pretending to sleep,I heard him call from the living room.
"Everything set?I can't stand her anymore!"
"Good.Stick to the plan."
Next day,he held my hand affectionately.
"Honey,we haven't traveled since we married.Let's take our leaves and go somewhere."
"Where?"
"The coast!Let it witness our love."
I feigned hesitation,then agreed.Eric beamed.
"Great,honey.I'll make it unforgettable for you."
I smiled."Hope it's the same for you."
