I Plan My Death While He Bangs the Nanny

Chapter 8: Wanna Bet?

Ethan Foster used a business trip as an excuse to accompany Emily Johnson to the Bahamas.

On their wedding anniversary, also the last day before she left, Ethan finally rushed back.

Seeing Sophia Williams, still pale and weakened by illness, his heart clenched painfully.

"Sophia." His voice trembled with concern. "Why didn't you take care of yourself while I was gone? At this rate, I'll have to take you with me on every business trip just to be sure."

"Take me along? So I can watch you and Emily play the happy couple?"

His assistant arrived to brief him on his schedule, drowning out her words.

"What?"

Sophia forced a faint smile. "Nothing."

At the gala, Ethan's friends swarmed around them, congratulating the couple for surviving the seven-year itch.

"Only Ethan could pull this off, who else stays devoted to just one woman for over a decade?"

"We've all seen how much he adores you, Sophia. Dropping everything to stay by your side all these years, what a rare love. You're truly blessed."

"Of course." Ethan pulled Sophia close, his eyes brimming with affection. "There will never be another woman for me but Sophia!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Only Sophia remained silent, detached, like an outsider.

As the gala wound down, Sophia, slightly tipsy from the wine, stepped outside for air.

By the pool, Emily suddenly appeared, her eyes red-rimmed as if she'd been watching the hall through the glass for hours.

Before Sophia could speak, Emily whispered, "Mrs. Foster, wanna bet? Let's see who truly matters most to him."

Without warning, Emily lunged, dragging them both into the water.

In an instant, the icy pool swallowed Sophia whole.

Her barely recovered body couldn't withstand the cold. The heavy dress tangled around her like vines, dragging her down. She fought desperately, unable to even scream.

Emily, clearly a strong swimmer, shrieked, "Help! Someone help!"

Ethan burst through the doors.

The moment he saw Emily, his face drained of color.

"Emily!"

Without hesitation, he dove in.

He swam past Sophia, straight to Emily.

Sophia's strength vanished. Stunned, she stopped struggling, watching numbly as Ethan hauled a trembling Emily out, cradling her waist as he swam to safety, murmuring reassurances.

And on Emily's face, triumphant, radiant.

So cold.

Why was it so cold… so painful…

Sophia closed her eyes, letting the weight of her gown pull her under,

Until another guest, a strong swimmer, plunged in and hauled her out.

Drenched, she stared unblinking at Ethan, who was now wrapping his jacket around Emily.

Her eyes burned from the chlorine, but she refused to look away.

She needed to see, really see, the man she'd loved for fifteen years.

"Ms. Williams, are you alright?" her rescuer asked.

Only then did Ethan snap back to reality, finally turning.

Seeing Sophia equally soaked, his pupils constricted in shock.

For the first time, he realized, Emily hadn't been alone in the water.

Sophia had been there too.

"Sophia, " His voice broke.

Suddenly, Emily screamed.

"It hurts! Oh God, my stomach!"

The blood staining her dress snapped Ethan back into action. Without another glance at Sophia, he scooped Emily up and bolted.

Watching his retreating figure, Sophia remembered Emily's words:

"Wanna bet? Let's see who truly matters most to him."

Emily had won.

Or rather, Emily had never lost.

Sophia replayed every moment of those fifteen years with Ethan.

His relentless care. How he'd cry whenever she fell ill.

After the miscarriage, when she'd sobbed until she couldn't breathe, he'd been shattered.

"Sweetheart, no more. We won't try again. Even if we adopt, I can't bear to see you in pain."

That Ethan, the one who loved her so fiercely, had long since drifted away.

But at least the stars still shone tonight.

Leaving the gala, a car pulled up.

"Ms. Williams, everything's ready. I'll take you to the airport now."

Sophia powered off her phone and tossed it into a trash bin.

"When will Ethan hear the news of my death?"

"Tomorrow."

"Good."

She wondered what expression he'd wear when he realized, after abandoning her at the gala for another woman, he wouldn't even get to bury her body.

She looked forward to finding out.

As for her? She'd move on, free, unshackled, thriving.

Sophia slid into the car.

"Let's go."