Chapter 3
Eleanor clearly couldn’t bear to part with her six lovers.
Feigning ignorance, I put her phone back where I found it.
The next morning, I packed a few essentials into a suitcase and prepared to leave the house.
Eleanor stopped
* 86% #
13:10 Sun, 2 Mar
<
Eleanor stopped me at the door, calling out to my retreating figure.
“Honey, why are you packing your suitcase?”
I turned back and looked at her, my tone calm. “I’ve taken on a new project and might be on a business trip for a week.”
Eleanor’s gaze was filled with reluctant affection as she spoke softly.
“Then, honey, make sure to bring me back a gift when you return, okay? I’ll be waiting for you!”
I nodded and left with my suitcase.
Inwardly, I promised her a very special gift.
Leaving the house, I hailed a cab and went straight to a hotel.
At the front desk, the receptionist asked for my driver’s license to check me in.
As I handed over my license from my wallet, an old photograph inside accidentally fell
out.
The receptionist returned both my license and the photo after processing my details.
“Sir, you dropped this photo.”
I took the photo and thanked her politely.
“Sir, you and the lady in the photo make a beautiful couple.”
I didn’t respond, turning instead to the elevator to head to my room.
After a week at the hotel, I picked up my spare phone and sent a message to a familiar
contact.
[It’s time.]
2 Mar
<
[It’s time.]
86%
Before long, my computer screen lit up with a live mirror of Eleanor’s WhatsApp account.
The seven–person group chat was still pinned at the top.
The man labeled “Monday” was the first to speak.
[Ellie hasn’t contacted us in a week. Don’t you miss us?]
[Ellie, did you forget about us?]
Eleanor’s reply came almost instantly.
[You’re all my darlings. Of course, I missed you!]
The other men quickly chimed in.
Tuesday: [But it’s been ages since you sent us anything nice, let alone met us. Did you forget about us?]
Eleanor: [I didn’t! Don’t worry. I’ll see you all tomorrow.]
Wednesday: [But tomorrow’s Sunday. Ellie, who are you meeting? You promised your husband gets Sundays!]
Eleanor: [My husband’s on a business trip. He won’t be back anytime soon. Don’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow.]
Friday: [Ellie, can we all meet tomorrow? After all, if you see just one of us, the rest will get jealous. Why not make it a group gathering?]
The group echoed their agreement enthusiastically.
Eleanor finally relented and sent the time and hotel name in the chat.
It was the very hotel I was currently staying at.
Chapter 4
