AFTERNOON TEA AND A VERDICT

Part 1: A Wife’s Preparation

The sun-shaped wall clock seemed to mock me with every tick, marking 2:17 PM. Still too early for our special appointment. I smoothed out my cream-colored linen dress, feeling the soft fabric against my fingertips. I had chosen this outfit meticulously: elegant, discreet, yet sharp enough to convey the message of a woman not easily defeated.

Beside me, Lily, my little five-year-old angel, was absorbed in coloring a picture of a mermaid. Her golden hair fell over her small face, her lips pursed in deep concentration. She was my whole world, the reason I breathed, the reason I fought. And today, she was also an indispensable part of my plan.

“Mommy, I’m done coloring!” Lily excitedly held up her drawing.

“That’s beautiful, my darling,” I smiled, the practiced facade having become a perfect mask over the past few months. “Now, get ready for a bit, and then we’ll go play.”

Lily cheered happily, quickly running into her bedroom. She had no idea that “playing” today wouldn’t involve the park or a toy store. Today, we were going to visit another woman’s house.

I returned to the kitchen counter, where a small wooden box lay waiting. It was made of polished walnut, with intricate carvings – a gift from my mother. I opened it. Inside was a silver USB drive, small, compact, and cold to the touch. It didn’t contain family photos or work documents. It contained the entire career, reputation, and future of one man. And of one woman.

My husband, Richard, was a successful architect. Intelligent, charming, and now, revealed to be a complete betrayer. For almost a year, I had felt something was wrong. His late nights, the mysterious phone calls, the coldness in our bedroom. A woman’s intuition is rarely wrong. And a betrayed wife’s intuition even less so.

I hired a private investigator. Not because I lacked money, but because I wanted everything done professionally and unequivocally. The detective’s report answered every question, painting a perfect picture of Richard’s secret life with a young woman named Brittany Davies. Brittany, a young, ambitious interior designer whom Richard had “accidentally” met on a project. She lived in a luxurious penthouse apartment downtown, about a 40-minute drive from here. An apartment that I knew for a fact Richard had largely paid for.

The news that Brittany was pregnant hit me like a fatal blow. Not because I still loved Richard—that love had slowly died during the cold nights. But because of the thought of another child, half of Richard’s blood, growing inside another woman. That’s when I decided that things had to end. But not in the way Richard or Brittany expected.

I had meticulously planned everything. Every step, every word, every document. Everything had to be perfect.

“Mommy, I’m ready!” Lily ran out, wearing her favorite blue floral dress and sparkling ballet flats.

I handed her a lollipop. “Be a good girl, Lily. We’re going to visit a friend of Mommy’s. You’ll get to watch TV and play with toys there.”

She nodded, her face radiant. I took her small hand, feeling the warmth and trust. This was my moment.

Part 2: The Unexpected Visit

We drove through crowded streets, passing through the downtown area with its glass skyscrapers. Brittany’s apartment was on the 23rd floor of an upscale building. I already had the building entry code, a small piece of information the private detective had provided.

As the elevator glided upward, Lily delightedly looked at the city lights through the glass wall. I held her hand tightly, my heart pounding, but my face remained calm.

We arrived at apartment 23B. I rang the doorbell.

The chime rang twice, then the door opened. Brittany Davies stood there, her brown hair flowing, her blue eyes slightly wide with surprise. She was wearing leggings and a loose sweater, clearly at home. Her baby bump was prominently visible.

“Who… who are you?” Brittany asked, her voice tinged with annoyance and a hint of fear. She clearly didn’t know me. Richard must have been very good at keeping secrets.

“Hello, Brittany,” I said, offering the smile I had practiced so many times in the mirror. “I’m Amelia Miller. I’m sure you’ve heard Richard mention me.”

Brittany’s face instantly drained of color. The blood receded from her cheeks, leaving her skin pale. Her blue eyes widened, filled with panic. She glanced down at Lily, then back at me.

“Mommy, who is this?” Lily asked, clinging to my leg.

“This is a friend of Mommy’s, darling,” I replied to Lily, still holding my smile. Then I turned to Brittany, my voice filled with authority. “Richard is expecting me here. He probably forgot about our appointment.”

Brittany took a step back, her eyes darting over my shoulder as if looking for Richard. “Richard… Richard isn’t here. You’re mistaken.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I stepped inside, pulling Lily with me. The apartment was spacious, modern, with large glass windows overlooking the entire city. Expensive furniture filled the space. Certainly not something a new interior designer could afford on her own.

Brittany stammered, trying to close the door, but I had already placed my foot in the way. “You can’t come in here! You have no right!”

“I have every right, Brittany. More than you think,” I said, my voice dropping. “You can call the police if you want. But I believe we have more to discuss than arguing at the doorstep.”

She hesitated, then finally backed away, letting Lily and me in. Clearly, she was terrified.

“Lily, can you sit and watch TV here?” I pointed to a large flat-screen TV. “There’s a cartoon channel.”

Lily nodded, quickly sitting down on the soft leather sofa and grabbing the remote. She was completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere that filled the room.

I turned to Brittany, who stood opposite me, her hands wrapped around her belly, her eyes defiant but also showing clear fear.

“Where’s Richard?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“He’s busy,” I smirked. “Busy dealing with some troubles you and he created.”

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brittany said, trying to sound strong.

I pulled the small walnut wooden box from my handbag. “I came here to give you something.”

Brittany looked at the box with suspicion. “What is it?”

“A gift,” I replied, my smile no longer artificial. “A gift Richard never wanted you to receive. And a gift you will never forget.”

I opened the box, taking out the small silver USB drive. I held it up, letting the light from the window reflect off it.

Brittany looked at the USB drive, her eyes bewildered. “This is…?”

“This is the truth,” I said, my voice cold. “Everything. About Richard. About what he’s done. And about what’s going to happen to you.”

I walked to Brittany’s laptop, which was sitting on the coffee table…