Chapter 3 The Dangerous "Devoted Wife" and the Voice Recorder

Julia Reed warns me “In court, Raymond’ll use your ‘devoted wife’ act against you. He’ll say you’re controlling, that’s why he hid assets.”

“He wants me to look like a hysterical victim,” I say, cold as ice. “Not gonna happen.”

So I start a more careful “performance.”

In the lab, I catch Emma alone. I slip into the “naive professor’s wife” act, sounding genuinely worried “Emma, you look off lately. Is Professor Hale piling too much work on you?”

Emma looks into my soft eyes and lets her guard down. She thinks I’m just a research-obsessed older woman, totally in the dark about her and Raymond.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mrs. Hale,” she says, fake innocent. “Professor Hale’s projects are tough, but I’m happy to help.”

I pat her hand gently. “You’re such a sweet kid. Hey, Raymond mentioned setting aside money for a bigger house—did he talk to you about that?”

Emma’s face twitches for a second, then she recovers. “Oh? No, I don’t think so. I just do lab records.”

“Guess I’m overthinking,” I say, a tiny smile on my lips.

Mission accomplished. Emma’ll run to Raymond, planting doubt between them.

That night, I tuck a voice recorder under my pillow.

When Raymond gets home, he’s on edge. He hugs me tight, his voice shaking “Honey, what’d you and Emma talk about today?”

I fake sleepiness. “Nothing much—asked about her experiments, checked in on her.”

“Do you… think anything about her?” he presses.

I roll over to face him. “What would I think? She’s just a hardworking assistant. I’m more worried about you. I heard the university’s cracking down on finances. Don’t mess with money, okay? We’ve got enough.”

Raymond relaxes. He thinks I’m just paranoid, guessing blindly.

“Don’t worry,” he says, stroking my hair. “I’ve got it under control. It’s all for us.”

As he lies, I’m ice inside.

I know every word’s being recorded—proof for court.

I think, ‘Every sweet thing you say is building your own prison. That “honey” of yours? Worth three million. But soon, you’ll pay with freedom.’

When he hops in the shower, I send the recording to Julia.

She replies right away “Great work. Now we’ve got proof he hid assets and lied to you. This is solid ‘intentional deception’ evidence.”

I watch Raymond’s shadow through the shower glass, my gaze steady.

The revenge wheels are spinning faster. I’m not the victim anymore—I’m the hunter.