Chapter 2Apologize Daily, Ruin Him Daily

[Day Two Apology: I am so sorry. I apologize because the photos I posted yesterday were terribly grainy. They really did not do justice to the other woman's looks.]

[I need to set the record straight today. Serena is much younger and prettier in person. She obviously has far more charm than I do. Otherwise, why would my husband be so utterly obsessed with her?]

I lowered my head and started aggressively knitting the red yarn, letting the camera roll in complete silence for the rest of the minute.

The video was short, but the message was lethal. When I hit publish, the algorithm picked it up even faster than the first one.

[I am declaring Cindy the undisputed champion of the internet today.]

[100/100 apology. I’d give her extra credit but I don't want her to peak too early.]

[This isn't just an apology. She is literally dancing on Arthur's grave.]

[The visual of her peacefully knitting a red flag while her husband is out ruining their marriage... cinematic perfection.]

As the view count skyrocketed into the millions, an unknown number flashed on my screen.

"Cindy, you need to stop this right now!"

It was Serena. The sweet, innocent, breathy voice she used whenever Arthur was around was completely gone, replaced by a frantic screech.

I adjusted my pillows and stretched my legs out. "Serena. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Why are you doing this to me? Arthur and I are genuinely in love! You ruined my life by posting those pictures, and now I have thousands of people harassing me online!"

"Genuinely in love?" I let out a dry chuckle. "Well, your epic romance is built on the ashes of my marriage, so forgive me if I don't send an edible arrangement."

"You are actually psychotic! Arthur doesn't even love you anymore. What is the point of clinging to the title of his wife?"

"Whether there's a point or not really isn't your business. Listen, Serena, instead of wasting your breath screaming at me, maybe you should go cry to your Prince Charming. Tell him to figure out a way to shut me up."

I could hear her hyperventilating on the other end, her voice trembling with sheer rage. "You just wait. Arthur is going to end you for this!"

"I'll leave the porch light on."

I tossed the phone onto the coffee table, feeling fantastic. If the mistress was losing her mind, today's apology was a massive success.

A few minutes later, my phone rang again. This time, it was my mother. Her voice was thick with worry.

"Sweetheart, I saw those videos on the internet. What on earth are you doing? You are playing with fire. You know how Arthur gets. He's going to find a way to hurt you."

Hearing my mom's voice melted away the cold armor I had been wearing all morning.

"Mom, please don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing. I spent years being the quiet, accommodating wife. I am done playing nice."

"But honey, you're all alone in this..."

"I'm a grown woman, Mom. He made his bed, and now I am making sure the whole world watches him lie in it."

After calming her down, I opened a delivery app and ordered myself an absurdly expensive, premium sushi platter. This show was just getting started. I needed to keep my energy up for the next act.

By day three, I didn't even have to brainstorm a new concept. Arthur handed me the material on a silver platter.

First thing in the morning, the HR Director at my marketing firm called and asked me to come in immediately.

When I walked onto the floor, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. My coworkers awkwardly averted their eyes, pretending to type furiously on their keyboards.

I walked into the HR office, and the director was rubbing his temples, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"Cindy, look. This whole situation with your personal life... it's getting very loud."

I nodded slowly. "I understand. I'm sorry if it's causing a distraction."

"It's not just a distraction." He let out a heavy sigh. "Arthur called the CEO this morning. He put the squeeze on us. You know our agency relies heavily on his company for our quarterly accounts."

I understood perfectly. I was the sacrificial lamb to protect the company's profit margins.

"So, what is the official word?"

The director cringed. "The board wants to place you on indefinite unpaid leave. Just until the dust settles at home. It's not a termination, officially. But... well, you know how these things go."

I did know. It was financial strangulation. Arthur wanted to starve me out until I deleted the videos.

I looked the director dead in the eye. "Fine. I accept."

I walked out of the office, but I didn't go straight home. I stopped by a local print shop. I scanned my official suspension notice, along with a copy of the front page of the vendor contract between my agency and Arthur's corporation.

Back in my apartment, I set up the camera in my study. The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves behind me gave off a very rational, intellectual vibe. Perfect for dropping a bomb.

I hit record and held up the suspension notice.

[Day Three Apology: I am sorry. I apologize for being a regular person who actually needs a paycheck to survive.]

[Because of my inability to handle my husband's infidelity quietly, I have embarrassed his corporate partners. Namely, the agency I work for. Because of this, I was put on unpaid leave today.]

[I have reflected deeply on this. If I were just a trust-fund baby who didn't have to worry about paying bills, we wouldn't be in this mess. So I want to apologize to Arthur once again. I am sorry that I failed to control my emotions, and I am sorry that I couldn't even keep my own job. I know my sudden unemployment is a terrible look for you.]

I looked dead into the lens and offered another stiff, mocking bow.

The moment the video went live, the internet caught fire.