Chasing His Betrayed Ex-wife

Friend in time of need 2

  "I truly appreciate everything you've done for me. I really do. But I promise I'll be out of your way by tomorrow. I just need to get in touch with my man, he's around, but I have no idea where," I explained, and her eyes widened in surprise.

  "Who is your man? Can I get in touch with him for you?" she asked me.

  "His name is Ivan Giovanni, and he's my husband, although I'm not sure if I should call him that since we didn't complete our vows," I replied with a light chuckle. However, my laughter faded when I noticed Lily's face had turned ashen, her expression filled with a deep sense of dread.

  "Are you alright? You're really scaring me," I said, feeling a surge of panic. Something was definitely off with her, and I couldn't quite grasp what was troubling her.

  "I... Eve... I mean Clarissa..." she stammered, her breathing becoming rapid. I rushed to her side and helped her sit on the bed, my eyes widening in shock. She had just called me Eve, and it was clear she was in distress.

  "Listen, you're worrying me. Maybe I should leave; you don't seem well," I suggested, but she suddenly jumped up and grabbed my arm.

  "No... I'm fine, it's just that... I... I don't feel good about..." she faltered, trying to mask her strange behavior. I wasn't naive enough to ignore that whatever she was experiencing was closely tied to me.

  "It's okay, just take a breath. I need to find Ivan; he's somewhere in this country, and I have to reach him," I said, but her face drained of color even more, and I could see the anger bubbling beneath her shock.

  "No, not Ivan... please, you can stay here with me... I mean, you can... ahhh... just don't mention Ivan," she said, her odd demeanor making me look at her in confusion.

"Why shouldn't I call him? He's my husband, and what could possibly go wrong?" I asked, throwing my hands up in frustration, noticing how her face drained of color.

  "Ivan isn't who you believe him to be; he's a monster... please, Eve... I mean Clarissa," she stuttered, struggling to articulate her thoughts, which only fueled my anger further.

  "I appreciate your concern, but you can't keep deceiving me. I know something is off, something you're not sharing, and I need to get out of here, no matter what. So, goodbye," I said, turning to leave, but she grabbed my arm.

  "Ivan is a murderer, a monster," she blurted out, causing me to halt and turn back to her.

  "What?" I asked, stepping closer, my heart racing.

  "Listen, you don't know him like I do. I've known him for over a year, and he's been nothing but kind and caring. Who are you to judge? I just met you, and how do you even know Ivan?" I shot back, my anger boiling over, and she stood up from her chair, visibly relieved.

  "I'll make you a coffee, and then you can go," she said, trying to change the subject. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten in days. The events of the past day had been so overwhelming that I kept forgetting to take care of myself.

  A few minutes later, Lily had prepared pancakes and tea for me, assuring me she would reach out to Ivan, explaining how they had been friends.

  "Hmmm. These pancakes look delicious," I remarked, savoring the sight of them while sipping my tea.

  "I'm really sorry, Clarissa, but this is for your own benefit," she replied. I was confused by her words, and suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me.

  "You poisoned... m... e," I managed to say as darkness enveloped my vision, and I slumped out of the chair.