Write the statement to the police, and then sit tight and dont flash any lights! Jane hissed. Theyll be at his door soon, and hell have to prove your disappearance wasnt his fault!
What if they lock him up? Bella asked, voice trembling.
Then let him rot in a cell! Jane snapped, eyes hard. He has to pay for the betrayal!
Its a relief we sent Petey to Moorland Prison, Bella sighed, the weight of the words crushing her. Otherwise Id never have been able to walk away
Exactly! Jane exclaimed. If we hadnt plotted our revenge, who knows how youd have ended up!
Your Greg is no saint, and youve seen it yourself, Jane added. Hed have thrown you out onto the street with empty pockets, even stripped you of parental rights!
Do you think hell actually do that? Bellas fear edged her words.
He will, Jane said confidently. Hell have no choice.
Why? Bella asked.
Because its the only logical outcome, Jane replied with a cruel smile. Hes already gone off the rails. Youre not his number one. In his eyes youre just a housewife with no education or job.
And since hes already found a replacement, a new woman will soon take your place in his houseand shell be his number one.
Its convenient that Petey is in Moorland, Jane noted. He wont even appear in his new lovers line of sight.
But hell still come home on weekends, wont he? Thatll give you a chance to sneak a visit with your son.
And if they take your parental rights, youll never even see his new love again.
Lord, this is all so tangled, Bella muttered, shaking her head.
Its not tangled, its simple logic, Jane brushed her off. When we finish what hes done, when his nerves finally snap, youll not only clear your tarnished honour, youll be able to demand alimony or a share of his assets!
Im not after the money, Bella lowered her gaze. It just hurts. After all these years, and he
Dont lose heart! Jane encouraged. Well punish him and then well be fine. For now, stay hidden. Theyre already looking for youleaflets, notices
Janes eyes widened. If anyone recognises you in a shop or on the street, the whole plan collapses. Itll be a disaster, and everything will go to ruin.
I understand, Bella said, detached.
Ill still go to his place, give him a piece of my mind if they dont catch him first, Jane promised.
Two weeks later Jane returned with news: Greg had been released on bail, a nonexit order. No body was ever found, and the police could present nothing.
Im amazed at his calm, Jane mused, shaking her head. I should pay him a visit, stir his nerves.
Do you think thats wise? Bella hesitated.
Its necessary before his new lover settles into your bed, Jane replied firmly.
When she returned, she recounted the encounter. I confronted him, asked where hed hidden you, Jane said. He refused to answer. I told him I knew about his betrayal and that Id go to the police and say he got rid of you so you couldnt interfere with his new relationship.
What did he say? Bella pressed.
He turned pale, terrified. He started babbling that itd be better for him if you showed up so you could divorce him.
Thats it, Bella exhaled bitterly. Hes not even interested; he just found a replacement.
Enough whining, Bella! Jane snapped. Well squeeze him until he ejects his new woman himself, because hell start missing the chaos hes created.
Will I be able to go back to him? Will things be as they were? Bella asked, hope flickering.
If you have any pride left, dont even think about it, Jane replied, shaking her head. Never forgive a traitoronly destroy them. Were doing exactly that. Hell be hauled in for questioning, statements taken, facts checked.
Theyre shaking him so hard you cant imagine, Jane continued. Hes paying with his nerves. What a treacherous fool!
Yes, let him suffer, Bella agreed. Let him pay.
But you must stay put for now, Jane warned.
For how long? Bella asked.
At least a month, Jane guessed. In that time theyll drive him to the brinkeither a mental breakdown or a nervous collapse.
After that Ill walk in, white as a sheet, point out every sin, and hell have to hand over the money, the maintenance, even full custody of our son!
Everything he has will be handed over, just to keep the peace.
What am I supposed to do in a flat I cant leave? Bella wondered aloud.
Gregs infidelity had been a shock. Nothing had hinted at it. Thank heavens there was Jane, who stopped Bella from spiralling into hysteria and devised this cunning revenge.
Deep down, Bella kept asking herself why Greg had gone astray. The answer remained elusive.
***
When Greg proposed to Bella that she become his wife, she didnt hesitate a second. She wasnt swayed by his wealthy background; she fell completely in love.
She could have been his puppet if he had cared less for her. Their marriage was treated as a show, their family a project. Some called it a ticket to an easy life for Bella and a slave for Greg.
Yet they were happylaughing, raising a son, teaching him to be a good man. Only later did cracks appear.
Petey wanted to join the army. He begged his parents to send him to the Royal Military Academy. They warned him about hardship and separation, but he persisted.
Look at him, a real independent lad, Greg said with a grin, shaking his head. A boy with character! Were proud, but its hard to let go.
Yes, Grigory, Bella sighed, we raised him to be smart, brave, strong. I thought hed stay my boy for a few more years.
But the boy chose his path, and Greg and Bella could only accept it.
One dreary afternoon Bellas phone buzzed with an unknown number: You can ruin Gregs life! Hes now mine. A few seconds of explicit video followedgrainy, shaky, but unmistakably showing Gregs face. Those two seconds pushed Bella into hysteria.
Jane entered the room, the light flickering, and said softly, They say the gods send us where were needed most.
When Bella, still shaking, showed the video, Jane erupted. This is more than betrayalits a sacrilege against family! He loved someone else, so he should leave, divorce, and stop this nonsense! Theyll keep denying, lying, and then blame you for not giving enough love. Thats why he strayed!
Janes fiery speech left Bella stunned, unsure whether to wait for Greg, file for divorce, or hope it was just a oneoff mistake.
Janes voice rose again. Youll never forgive him, and no one will respect you if you try. This isnt something you can simply overlook.
How do I get revenge? Bella asked. What can a housewife do? Cook him a stew? Feed him poison? Hes powerful; Im powerless.
Well do it differently, Jane said, a predatory grin forming. Youll go to my flat, make it look like a fight broke out, then Ill file a missingperson report for you. The police will think Greg dumped you to keep the assets, and hell lose everything.
But no one can prove it, Bella protested.
Exactly. While they investigate, his nerves will be crushed. Every mention of your name will make him crumble, Jane replied.
Bella didnt fully grasp the scheme, but Jane continued, When the pressures up, hell have to settle fairly, or youll be left penniless.
***
Bella had been holed up in Janes flat for two months, replaying every memory, weighing every motive. She finally asked Jane, When can I get out?
Jane answered, He hasnt paid enough yet. Ive written to the Crown Prosecution Service, demanding they check the police file on you. They left Greg untouched, so I keep visiting him, teasing his nerves.
What does he do when I show up? Bella asked.
He loses his temper, cant do anything. Im his sister, Im causing him worry. If you didnt steal or bury him, then look for him. Thats my message.
Janes taunts aimed to strip Greg of any remaining desire for women. Bellas patience was wearing thin, but she stayed in Janes flat out of sheer willpower.
One morning Bella brushed her hair, applied makeup, donned a sleek black dress, and clutched the keys to the flat she shared with Greg. She marched out, ready to tie up the loose ends.
How many more years will you suffer? Jane sneered, echoing a voice from an old film. He abandoned you, your son, took your jewellery, smashed your wedding photo. Hell never return. He was hypnotised, they say, tricked
Tell me, did he charm you? Jane asked, a pause before the next jab. How long will you chase this phantom?
Ill find him, look him in the eye! Our love cant just vanish! Bella shouted.
Greg, if she wanted to come back, shed have already, Jane muttered. She stole, ran off, and now youre left aching. I feel your pain, Im not a stranger to it.
Dont pity the traitor, Jane warned. Shes yours to lose, and Ill be the one who makes you pay.
Bella heard this as she slipped into the flat, her mind sharp despite years of domestic routine. She could add two and two without trouble.
What else will you be? she demanded, entering the living room.
Im here! Jane sprang up. Greg, get her out! Theres no room for traitors here!
Bella! Greg shouted, shoving Jane aside and lunging at his wife.
A heated argument erupted, voices raised, but the stolen jewellery remained evidence. Jane didnt sell or toss them.
Theres no law against breaking up a family, but there is one for theft, Greg warned as officers cuffed Jane. Youll answer for everything.
May you choke on your own love! Jane screamed back.
True love cant be extinguished, Bella said calmly, it can only be eclipsed. After the eclipse the sun returns, brighter than before. Youll never understand that.
The scene dissolved into chaotic shouts, police lights flashing, and the promise that Gregs empire would crumble under the weight of his own betrayals.
