Ryan got to his feet, a wild, predatory look in his eyes. «Scream all you want,» he laughed. «No one is coming to save you.»

«You’re wrong about that!» a voice thundered from the doorway. It was Chloe. In her right hand, she held a can of pepper spray. Hearing Olivia’s screams from the hallway, she had burst through the unlocked door.

«Olivia, are you okay?» Chloe asked, never taking her eyes off Ryan. With her free hand, she quickly dialed a number on her phone. «Get up here,» she said, then hung up.

«I’m fine now,» Olivia nodded, tears of relief streaming down her face.

«How did you get in here?» Ryan hissed. «This is private property. Get out, or I’m calling the cops.»

«Go ahead,» Chloe said firmly. «You can explain to them why you were assaulting my friend.»

«What assault?» Ryan shrugged. «We’re old lovers. This is just how we play.»

«Liar!» Olivia shouted. «You disgust me!»

Just then, Chloe’s husband, Alex, appeared in the doorway. «Need some help?» he asked, taking in the scene.

«Alex, can you just keep this guy busy while Olivia packs her things?» Chloe requested.

«Got it.» Alex, a big, imposing man, blocked the doorway. Ryan, knowing he was no match for him, slumped onto the couch and turned on the TV.

Fifteen minutes later, Olivia and Chloe emerged with a suitcase.

«All set?» Alex asked.

«Not quite,» Olivia said, looking at Ryan. «You said there was proof in this room.»

«You must have misheard me,» Ryan muttered, avoiding her gaze.

«No, I didn’t,» Olivia insisted.

«Buddy, hand it over,» Alex said, taking a threatening step into the room. Ryan jumped up, flipped over a nearby armchair, and revealed a large folder taped to its underside. «This it?» Alex asked, taking the folder.

«Yes,» Ryan said, clearly intimidated.

«Alright, girls, let’s go.»

Outside, Olivia took a deep, shuddering breath of fresh air. She clutched the folder tightly. It wasn’t the dashcam, but it was proof that Mark had been faking his disability. Maybe it would be enough to help Ben. «Thank God for you guys,» Olivia said, turning to her friends.

«And for you,» Chloe said, pulling her into a hug.

Just as they were about to get into the car, a tall, beautiful woman approached them. «Olivia, hello,» she said. «I need to talk to you.»

Olivia looked at her. She had never met Jessica, but she knew instantly who this was. «I’m listening,» Olivia said firmly.

«I’m Jessica,» the woman introduced herself. «I’m a friend of your husband’s.»

«You mean his mistress?» Olivia corrected her.

«If that makes you feel better,» Jessica shrugged. «Emily, let’s go to the park across the street,» she suggested.

«No way,» Chloe objected. «Talk here.»

«She’s right,» Olivia said, glancing up at the apartment window where Ryan was watching them. «Let’s go.» Chloe reluctantly followed them, her eyes fixed on Jessica.

«Jessica, did you know Mark recovered from his injuries?» Olivia asked as they walked.

«Yes,» Jessica replied quietly. «I’ve known since the day he first got out of the wheelchair.»

«Got it,» Olivia sighed. «So, what did you want to talk about?»

«Olivia, please, you have to let Mark go,» Jessica pleaded, tears welling in her eyes. «I’m pregnant with his child.»

«Congratulations,» Olivia said, the word tasting like ash in her mouth. She and Mark had talked about having children, but he had always insisted they wait.

«He told me that you two can’t have children,» Jessica continued, «that you’re infertile. He said you threatened to hurt yourself if he ever left you.» She looked at Olivia, her eyes filled with a strange mix of pity and accusation. «He keeps all his important documents and things at my apartment, so you won’t find them.»

A lightbulb went off in Olivia’s head. The dashcam. It had to be at Jessica’s apartment.

«Jessica, I am telling you right now,» Olivia said firmly. «I am not holding Mark. If he wanted to leave, he would have done so a long time ago.»

Just then, Chloe and Alex caught up to them. After a chaotic explanation, Alex came up with a plan. «Let’s go to Mark at the resort right now.»

Two hours later, they pulled into the parking lot of the countryside spa.

«Jessica, you go in alone,» Alex instructed. «Tell him you’re pregnant. We’ll be hiding in those bushes, listening.»

Jessica agreed, her face alight with the happy delusion that Mark would be thrilled. A few minutes later, Mark and Carol emerged from the main building.

«Miracle of miracles!» Chloe whispered from their hiding spot. «Our martyr is walking.»

Olivia just shook her head, a bitter taste in her mouth. She had believed him for six whole months.

They watched as Jessica joyfully announced her pregnancy. Mark froze. Carol looked dismayed.

«James, why are you so quiet?» Jessica finally asked, her smile faltering.

«It’s just… really bad timing,» Mark mumbled. «My business is just getting off the ground. I can’t deal with this right now.»

«Our child is a distraction?» Jessica whispered, shocked.

«Don’t exaggerate,» Mark said.

«Listen, dear,» Carol said, putting an arm around Jessica. «James is right. You need to get financially stable first, then think about children. Besides, James is about to go through a difficult divorce. You have no idea the fits Olivia throws.»

«And if she finds out about my new car wash, she’ll demand half of it in the divorce,» Mark added.

«What car wash?» Emily whispered to Chloe.

«My dear,» Mark said, kneeling in front of Jessica. «Here’s the plan. While I’m here at the resort, you… take care of the pregnancy.»

«You want me to get rid of our baby?» Jessica pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

«Don’t make this more complicated than it has to be,» James urged.

«That’s our cue,» Alex said decisively.

Olivia stepped out from behind the bushes, a sweet, saccharine smile on her face. «Mark, darling!» she cooed. «Pinch me! Is it a miracle? It’s the first time in six months I’ve seen you walking!»

Mark stared at her, his face ashen. He was caught.