Leah watched the city lights flicker beneath her. The skyline sparkled like shattered glass — beautiful, but sharp.She was done playing the innocent.Now, she played to win.
The footage arrived two days later.
Small black box. Flash drive. No labels. Just like she requested.
She locked her door, pulled the curtains, and plugged it into her laptop.
There they were.
Chris and Lisa. Together.In a hotel in Paris. Not Shanghai.Laughing. Drinking. Kissing like lovers who had done this many times before.
One clip was time-stamped two days after their wedding anniversary.
She stared. Not in shock anymore — that had passed.Now, she studied them the way a hunter studies prey.
She copied the files to a hidden folder. Backed them up on a cloud no one could trace.Then she whispered:
"Every lie has an expiration date."
Later that day, Chris called.
– "Hey, babe. How's everything?"
Leah's voice was light. Warm.– "Good. I miss you. When are you coming back?"
– "Tomorrow. I'll bring wine. We'll celebrate."
– "Celebrate what?"
He laughed.– "Life. Us."
Leah smiled.– "Perfect."
She hung up, then pulled open her drawer and took out a velvet box — inside, a ring.
Not the engagement ring.A new one. Black sapphire. Cold and sharp.
A symbol.The old Leah was gone.
The next evening, Leah invited Lisa and Christopher (Lisa's husband) for dinner.
Chris had just returned, acting the perfect husband. Hugs, wine, flirty glances.
Lisa was tense. She wore red. Always red.
During dessert, Leah casually mentioned:
– "I've been thinking about opening a charity. Something for women who've been lied to."
Lisa nearly choked on her wine.
Chris chuckled. "That's… random."
Leah smiled.
– "Isn't it? But I think it's important. Some lies can ruin lives. Others... just reveal who people really are."
Silence.
Lisa avoided her gaze.
Leah cut a piece of cake, slowly.
– "I've been filming some interviews. Private ones. Stories about betrayal. You'd be amazed how many people are secretly living double lives."
She looked directly at Lisa.
Lisa's hand trembled slightly on the glass.
Chris was oblivious, texting under the table.
Leah's smile widened.
"Tick-tock," she thought."I hope you're both ready. The storm's coming. And I am the storm."