My Husband Cheated on Me, And His Girlfriend Murdered Me

After a brief chat with Hendrick, I boarded the train and settled in for the four-hour ride to my hometown. By the time I arrived, it was already night, but I managed to catch the last bus heading to my village. Once I got off, I had a pleasant fifteen-minute walk ahead of me to reach my old house.

The night air was refreshing as I strolled along the dimly lit path. Despite the darkness, I felt safe knowing the crime rate here was virtually nonexistent. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over everything, while the cool breeze rustled through the leaves and the symphony of insects filled the air.

When I finally reached the cottage, I felt a rush of nostalgia. The small wooden house with its sprawling front and backyard, where Mom grew all sorts of vegetables and flowers, felt as welcoming as ever. I opened the low wooden gate, the bell above it jingling softly, and made my way to the front door, which was unlocked.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by the cozy living room. It was a small space, with a set of sofas facing the fireplace and walls adorned with framed photos and newspaper clippings. Each frame captured a piece of my life—from childhood moments to my graduation, my wedding, and articles celebrating my achievements. Seeing them all displayed so lovingly brought tears to my eyes; it was a powerful reminder of how much my mom cared for me.

Just then, a middle aged woman appeared, a dust cloth slung over her shoulder. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a broad smile spread across her face. “Oh my goodness, is that you, my little Livy?”

She came closer and hugged me tightly. No matter how old I got, I would always be her little girl. I hugged her back, breathing in the familiar jasmine scent that always reminded me of home. Mom loved to put jasmine flowers on her bed to sleep with.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming today! I would have cooked more if I knew,” she said, guiding me to sit at the dining table.

“I wanted to surprise you,” I replied with a big smile.

As she prepared hot chocolate, she asked, “So, Garet couldn’t come with you? That’s too bad, I miss him.”

“No, he’s busy,” I said.

“You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

“No, Mom. Don’t worry,” I assured her with another forced smile.

“How long are you staying?”

“Three days,” I answered.

“You should stay longer, maybe a week.”

“I can’t, Mom. Those poor patients would cry if I didn’t give them anesthesia during their surgeries,” I joked, trying to keep things light.

We chatted as she handed me the hot chocolate, and then Mom helped me carry my bags to my old room. It was just as I had left it, a time capsule of my teenage years. Everything was still in place, and the sense of nostalgia was overwhelming. Photos of me and Mom when we were younger brought a wave of gratitude for the bond we shared.

I laid on my bed, which wasn’t as soft as the one in the city but still felt comforting. Closing my eyes, I let memories of my friends and family wash over me, filling me with joy and a sense of belonging.

However, my phone buzzed. It was Garet. I didn't want to talk to him and ignored his calls, putting my phone on do-not-disturb mode.

The next morning, I woke up early, feeling the chill in the air because I hadn’t used a blanket. I opened the window and looked out at the sky. My room faced east, giving me a perfect view of the sunrise. Watching the sunrise used to be my favorite way to start the day before school, and now I got to relive that moment. The sky transformed from dark to red, then orange, pink, and purple before finally turning blue. Those few minutes of serenity were magical.

I went downstairs to find Mom already up, busy in the kitchen like she always was.

“Hi, Mom. Need help?” I asked, pouring myself a glass of water.

“No, this kitchen is too small for the two of us,” she said with a warm smile.

“I’ll take care of the garden, then,” I replied, smiling back.

Mom’s garden was her pride and joy. In the backyard, she had tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, pumpkins, and cucumbers. The front yard was a vibrant display of jasmine, roses, petunias, and many other flowers I couldn’t name. Everything flourished under her careful attention.

I spent too much time in the hospital, surrounded by the sterile white of operating rooms, the smell of chemicals, medicines, blood, and disinfectants. It felt refreshing to be outside, surrounded by the vibrant colors of nature, listening to birds chirping and water flowing, and breathing in the scents of flowers, fresh water, and soil.

I smiled as I watched the drizzle of water on the plants’ leaves. After watering the garden and harvesting some vegetables, I joined my mom in the dining room, savoring the warm pumpkin and mushroom soup she had made. She also prepared mashed potatoes and hot milk for me.

“You need to eat more, look at how thin you are now!” she exclaimed, placing more food in front of me.

“Calm down, Mom. I’m full. You’re the one who needs more nutrition. I brought supplements for you,” I said, trying to reassure her.

“Nonsense, I’m fitter than you. I’d bet on it,” she retorted with a grin.

Our playful banter continued until we finished our meal. I washed the dishes while she went out to run some errands. It was only 8 o’clock, and I wasn’t sure what to do next. The air was still cold, and a bath sounded freezing, so I decided to take a nap.

I was awakened by the sound of people chatting. The sunlight streaming into my room told me it was already noon, and the warmth had increased. I got up and stretched, feeling rested and ready to face the day.

I checked the clock on my phone; it was 11:30. At that moment, I noticed several missed calls from Garet. I opened the notifications and saw his message. Around 11, he said he was near my mom’s house and would arrive in 15 minutes. I frowned. Was it him talking to my mom now?

Quickly, I got out of bed and walked downstairs. Sure enough, there he was, smiling and chatting with Mom in the living room.

“Livy, you said he wasn’t coming!” Mom exclaimed when she saw me, her voice filled with joy.

I forced a smile and approached them. “Well, that’s what he told me. Isn’t that right, Garet?”

“Yeah, I managed to reschedule a meeting, so I can stay here for the weekend,” he explained.

“It doesn’t matter. You two are here now, and I’m so happy! I’ll make you a pie. Garet, you should rest up after driving for so many hours this morning,” Mom said warmly.

“You drove all the way here?” I asked, a bit incredulous.

“Yes, that’s my car outside.” He pointed out the window. I wanted to ask about Jane but hesitated because Mom was there.

Once we were in my room, I finally asked him about her. “How’s Jane?”

“She’s okay now,” he replied.

I didn’t press for more details and quickly grabbed a towel, heading to the bathroom. As I was about to leave, he suddenly called out, “Livy.”