Short Thriller Stories

9. Her

New Year's Day, 2017

I stood in the kitchen, wearing my wine colored dress and sipping my fourth glass of champagne. There was glitter everywhere, all over the floor and empty bottles on the coffee table. Who knew that a New Year's Eve party could cause so much upheaval? Not me. Definitely not me. I glanced at the clock and sighed. 2:00 a.m. Seth still wasn't there. He had been gone since last night. Where the hell was he? I was about to call him when I heard the sound of the key turning the lock and the door opening.

"There you are," I said. "Where were you? You missed the whole party."

"Oh, for Christ's sake, Ava, I was only gone for an hour." He tossed his keys on the coffee table and his jacket on the sofa.

"So who is she?" I asked.

"Excuse me? Who's who?"

"The other woman you're seeing."

"For fuck's sake, Ava, she's just my assistant. We've talked about this before." He sighed and went upstairs. "I'm taking a shower," he said to me before leaving. I stood in the empty living room, alone. Seth wasn't always like this. Especially not when we first met. He was happier back then. More carefree. But I guess five years of marriage changes you.

We first met at an engagement party for our coworker and mutual friend, Kimmy. I remember seeing him there and falling head over heels for him. He had deep, piercing blue eyes and even darker hair. I was completely blown away by him. Captivated. Mesmerized. He was at a table with his friends, laughing and drinking and for the rest of the night, I could only think about him. Six months later, we started dating. A year later, we got married, and, well, the rest is history. Looking back at it now, I can't help but wonder where it all went wrong. Did we make a wrong turn somewhere? Were we on the wrong path to begin with? Or were we simply not meant to be? All questions yet no answers.

I went into the living room to clean up the mess Seth had left and put everything away. That was when I noticed it. His phone was on the coffee table and chiming with notifications. I knew I shouldn't. I knew I should just walk away and pretend like I never saw it. But I want to know. I need to know. Without thinking, I picked his phone up and tapped on the most recent notification. I went still when I saw who it was from. Another woman. A woman named Rachel Conway. A woman who was one of my best friends. My breathing was heavy and my heart pounded in my chest as I read the text she'd sent to him.

Rachel: "Hey babe. I had fun tonight. Can't wait for tomorrow."

I felt my eyes fill with tears as I scrolled through their previous conversations.

Rachel: Where are you? You didn't forget about tonight, did you?

Seth: Of course not, babe. I just needed to do something first. I have a surprise for you."

Rachel: Really?

Seth: Yep. You're going to love it.

I threw the phone down, unable to look anymore. I felt myself bubbling with anger and fury and rage and hurt and betrayal. I kept scrolling, ignoring the voice in my head screaming at me to stop. But I couldn't. I couldn't stop. I was in too deep. At that moment, I realized what needed to happen. I knew what I needed to do.

"Ava, what the hell are you doing?"

I looked up and Seth was standing at the top of the stairs.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"What are you talking about?"

" I know, Seth. I know you've been cheating on me. I saw the texts."