Chapter 50 Perfect wife
CAITLYN'S POV
I woke up and forced myself out of bed even though I wanted to stay there forever, today had to be perfect. I had to be the wife Collin expected, I had to pretend everything was completely normal.
In the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. The camera in the vent watched me. I smiled at my reflection like I was happy, like I was not dying inside. I practiced this smile in the mirror yesterday, the one that said everything is fine. The one that showed no fear.
I put on a little makeup to cover the dark circles under my eyes. Not too much because Collin did not like it when I wore too much makeup. Just enough to look rested and healthy, just enough to keep up appearances.
My hands shook as I applied mascara and I had to stop and take deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Just like the therapist videos I watched before my first wedding. Before everything went wrong.
The baby kicked hard and I put my hand on my stomach. "I know," I whispered so quietly the camera could not pick it up. "I know you are scared too. We are going to be okay. We have to be."
I got dressed in a simple dress that fit over my growing belly. Nothing fancy because I was just staying home today. At least that was what I thought until I went downstairs.
Downstairs Collin was already at the breakfast table reading his phone. He looked up when I walked in.
"Good morning," I said and my voice sounded almost normal.
"Morning," he said. "Sleep well?"
"Yes," I lied. "Very well."
I had not slept well at all. I kept waking up thinking I heard footsteps outside my door. Kept thinking Collin was going to come in and confront me about the phone he found. About the information I gave Rourke, about everything.
I sat across from him and Mrs Chen brought me toast and tea. I took small bites and tried to look relaxed. I tried to look like someone who had nothing to hide.
The toast tasted like cardboard but I kept eating. I kept chewing and swallowing like it was the most normal thing in the world. Like my heart was not racing so fast I thought it might explode.
"I have a business dinner tonight," Collin said. "You will come with me."
My stomach dropped. A business dinner meant people from the organization. Meant to play the perfect wife in front of dangerous men. Meaning hours of pretending and performing.
"Of course," I said. "What should I wear?"
"The blue dress," he said. "The one I bought you last month."
"Okay," I said.
The blue dress was tight and uncomfortable, especially with my pregnant belly. But Collin liked it because it showed off my body. Made me look like the trophy wife he wanted everyone to see.
He went back to his phone and I kept eating. This was a good, normal conversation and breakfast. Nothing suspicious.
I counted my bites. One, Two, Three. Counting helped me stay calm and focus on something other than the fear.
"Caitlyn," Collin said without looking up. "Are you happy?"
The question caught me off guard. I almost dropped my teacup. "What?"
"I asked if you are happy," he repeated. "With our marriage, with this life."
I could feel him watching me even though he was staring at his phone. This was a test. Everything was a test now.
"Yes," I said. "Very happy. Why do you ask?"
My voice sounded too high. I needed to slow down. I needed to sound more natural.
"Just curious," he said. "You seem distant and distracted lately."
"It is the pregnancy," I said quickly. "It makes me tired and emotional but I am happy. Really."
That was the right answer. Blame everything on the pregnancy. Collin could not argue with that because he did not know anything about being pregnant.
He finally looked at me. Studied my face like he was trying to see inside my head. "Good. Because I would hate to think you were unhappy. After everything I have given you."
"I know," I said. "I am grateful."
"Are you?" he asked.
"Of course," I said. "You have been very generous."
The words felt like lies even though I was saying them. Generous. What a joke. He had given me a prison disguised as a mansion. A life of fear disguised as luxury.
He smiled but it did not reach his eyes. "I am glad you think so."
The rest of breakfast was silent. I finished my toast even though I wanted to throw up. Collin read emails on his phone and I sat there trying not to shake.
When Collin finished he stood up and kissed my forehead. His lips were cold against my skin. "I will see you tonight at six pm. Do not be late."
"I will not," I promised.
After he left I sat there for a few more minutes. My hands were shaking but I hid them under the table where the cameras could not see. That conversation felt like a trap. Like he was giving me rope to hang myself with.
Mrs Chen came to clear the dishes and gave me a look. A look that said Be careful. A look that said she knew something was wrong.
"Mrs Chen," I said quietly. "Thank you for breakfast."
She nodded and left quickly. Like she was afraid to be near me. Like she knew what was coming and did not want to be caught in the crossfire.
I spent the morning cleaning the house even though the staff did that. I needed to look busy, I needed to look normal. So I dusted shelves, organized closets,, and did laundry.
The physical work helped calm my nerves, folding towels, straightening books, and wiping down counters. Simple tasks that required no thinking. Just movement.
Mrs Chen watched me with concern but did not say anything. She knew better than to ask questions when the cameras were watching. She just moved around me like I was invisible like I was already gone.
At lunch, I made myself a sandwich and ate it slowly. The baby kicked and I talked to my stomach like everything was fine.
"You are going to love it here," I said out loud for the cameras. "Your daddy is so excited to meet you. We are going to be such a happy family."
Every word tasted like poison but I kept smiling. I kept playing the role, because that was all I could do. Play the role and wait for rescue.
I wondered if Rourke was watching the house right now. If he knew about the extra guards and cameras. If he had a plan to get me out. Or if I were completely on my own.
In the afternoon I took a nap or pretended to. I was lying in bed with my eyes closed, thinking about tonight, about dinner,, and about what Collin might be planning.
Was this the night he would confront me? Was this the night everything would
ld come crashing down? I did not know. All I knew was that I had to keep pretending for a few more hours.