If Only You Knew

I saw Maisie flash me a quick, taunting smile, before quickly masking it with a look of feigned guilt."I'm sorry, Lionel… Toto was barking at the door just now, and I saw you were asleep. I thought I'd take her for a walk myself, but as soon as I opened the door, she pounced on me. I was startled, and with the hallway lights out, my condition flared up and I fainted. When I woke up, Toto was gone. She must've taken my necklace with her. I was going to look for her, but then June showed up…" Her words grew more pitiful with every sentence, tears falling onto the floor.Lionel didn't seem to notice the inconsistencies in her story, his focus entirely on her. "You had an episode again? Why didn't you wake me up?" Maisie shook her head, forcing a weak smile. "No, Lionel. You've taken care of me for so long. I can't keep troubling you…" I stood up, but a coldness slowly settled over my heart. "Lionel, do you believe her?" He didn't answer, but instinctively pulled Maisie closer

Lionel stood frozen, a flash of guilt flickering across his face. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.He opened the door and found Maisie standing on the other side.Surprised, he asked, "Maisie, what are you doing here?"Maisie smiled faintly. "That necklace I left with June, it's very important to me. You gave it to me back then..."She then gave me a soft, meaningful glance, her eyes speaking volumes.I didn't respond, pretending I hadn't seen it, and silently went back to packing my things.Lionel cleared his throat and stepped forward, halting my movements. "Give me the necklace."I shook my head.It was the only evidence that could prove Maisie had a hand in Toto's death.I couldn't let him have it.Lionel's patience was clearly running thin. "What do you want with that necklace?"I looked at him coldly. "It's the evidence that Maisie killed Toto. Why should I give it to you?"Maisie, standing to the side, spoke softly, "June

The next day, I checked myself out of the hospital. Lionel wasn't there, probably off with Maisie, and for once, I found the absence of his incessant presence oddly relieving. When I got home, I packed my suitcase. Thanks to a friend's recommendation, I'd already secured a place to rent, so moving was easy. During my time at the hospital, I'd also managed to find a lawyer and signed the divorce papers. I left the documents at home. I'd just finished unpacking at my new place when Lionel's call came in. Without hesitation, I hung up. But, as usual, he didn't give up. He called again and again, until I blocked every single way he could contact me. Finally, it was quiet.Sitting on the couch, I stared at the photo of Hope and Toto on the table, lost in thought. It felt like hours before I pulled Maisie's necklace from my pocket. I held it up under the light, examining it carefully. When I first found it, I hadn't thought to check it closely and just took a quick glance before I

Maisie was right. I didn't have any proof of Lionel's affair.But I knew Lionel well enough to understand how he worked. If he even had the slightest doubt, the smallest hesitation that something would drag him down, he would get rid of it without a second thought. And this time, it wasn't just about his ego—it was about his career.Lionel had always been selfish. He could show Maisie affection, but when it came down to it, he would always choose himself. If it came to a breaking point, he wouldn't hesitate to abandon her just to protect himself.This was the man I had loved for so many years. Only now could I truly see him for what he was. How pathetic.The next day, as expected, Lionel sent me the signed divorce papers.I was about to celebrate at home when my phone started blowing up with messages. They were links sent by my friends.[June, is she talking about you? What's going on?]I clicked on a link, and there was Maisie's tear-streaked face on a video.It looked like a