Chapter 2My Demon Husband

A scream ripped through my throat. I jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat.

I was in my pajamas, lying in our master bedroom bed.

"You're awake? Come get some breakfast."

Jason pushed the bedroom door open and pulled back the curtains. Sunlight flooded the room, chasing away the shadows.

I stared at his face, unable to tell dream from reality.

He chuckled softly and tapped my nose. "Still want to sleep in?"

His touch felt real, warm. It was him, the same gentle, doting husband.

I sat up and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I had a horrible nightmare. It scared me to death."

He stroked my hair. "It's okay now. Get up, I'm just going out to grab some groceries."

I quickly stopped him. "Doesn't Mom need someone watching her at the hospital?"

"What are you talking about? Mom's not in the hospital," Jason said, squeezing my hand affectionately. "Get up, okay? I'll be back soon."

I nodded, let go, and gave his cheek a quick kiss.

My head felt heavy, fuzzy. Only after Jason left did I slowly drag myself out of bed.

In the wedding photo on the nightstand, Jason looked suave and gentle. I was smiling ear-to-ear, pure happiness.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, possessed by some strange impulse, I called my mother-in-law.

If she was okay, then what I saw at the hospital had to be a nightmare.

Truthfully, she and I didn't have the best relationship. It hit rock bottom after she got rid of my cat. We barely spoke day-to-day.

The phone rang for a long time.

Just as I was about to hang up, thinking no one would answer, a woman's voice came on the line.

"Hello? Who is this?"

I immediately hung up and checked the contact again. It was definitely my mother-in-law's number.

But that voice… it wasn't my mother-in-law at all!

Since my father-in-law passed away, she'd always been a loner, rarely had friends over.

But I quickly tried to rationalize. Maybe it was some distant relative I didn't know about visiting.

I dialed again. The same woman's voice answered.

I spoke first this time. "Hi, is my mother-in-law there?"

There was a long pause, then her tone turned angry. "Jessica? Why are you calling me? What do you mean, 'is your mother-in-law there'? Oh, I get it. You're calling just to piss me off, aren't you!"

My mind went blank for a second.

Can someone please tell me what is going on?

My mother-in-law is seventy. Her voice is old, sharp, shrill. The voice on the phone sounded young!

But how did she recognize my voice and know my name?

Ignoring her nasty tone, driven by a huge wave of confusion, I blurted out, "Mom? Are you feeling okay?"

"You damn bitch! Are you wishing I was sick? My son must have been blind to pick you! I should have fought tooth and nail against it!"

That string of curses, that tone… that was exactly how my mother-in-law always talked.

But the voice… how could it be…?