Maria sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers gripping the soft fabric of the duvet as though it could anchor her to a sense of stability. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the bedside lamp, its warm glow illuminating the tension etched into her features. Her thoughts churned like a storm at sea, crashing against the walls of her mind with relentless force. She had made mistakes before mistakes that gnawed at her conscience, but this plan felt different. This wasn't just crossing a line; it was obliterating it. Yet, the alternative seemed far worse.
Her relationship with Vincent had always been complicated, a blend of passion and power that made her feel both invincible and powerless. In the beginning, their affair had been intoxicating. Maria had felt alive in a way she hadn't for years. The stolen moments, the whispered confessions, the magnetic pull of his presence—it had all been so exhilarating. But over time, the thrill faded, replaced by an oppressive dependency. Vincent was no longer just a lover; he was a shadow looming over her life, casting darkness on everything she touched.
Maria couldn't ignore the suffocation anymore. His control over her, his demands for her time and attention, had become unbearable. She felt trapped, and every attempt to end their relationship only tightened the invisible chains that bound her to him. Vincent wasn't a man who let go easily. He had a way of reeling her back in, using both charm and subtle manipulation to keep her tied. Maria knew she needed an escape—something definitive, something that would sever their connection for good.
That was when the unthinkable idea began to take shape.
It started innocently enough, during one of her rare afternoons in her studio. Painting had always been her sanctuary, a place where she could lose herself in colour and form, escaping the chaos of her life. Tina, her younger sister, had stopped by unannounced, her presence like a burst of sunshine piercing through the gloom. Tina was vibrant and full of life, her energy infectious. She moved around the studio with an ease Maria envied, commenting on Maria's latest work and sharing stories about her own art projects.
Tina represented everything Maria had lost—her innocence, her optimism, her faith in the world's goodness. While Maria had grown jaded, Tina remained untouched by the shadows that haunted their family. Watching her, Maria felt a pang of both protectiveness and jealousy. Tina had no idea how cruel the world could be, and part of Maria wanted to keep it that way. But another part, a darker part, saw an opportunity.
As Tina spoke animatedly about her latest project, a series of abstract pieces exploring human connection, Maria's mind began to wander. Vincent would love Tina's youthful exuberance and her unfiltered creativity. She was the type of woman who could reignite his interest, pulling him away from Maria without him even realising it. If Tina became the focus of his attention, Maria could finally breathe again. The thought made her chest tighten with guilt, but the seed was planted.
The days that followed were a blur of self-doubt and rationalization. Maria couldn't stop thinking about her idea, turning it over in her mind like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. Was it manipulation, or was it simply nudging fate in a certain direction? She told herself she wasn't forcing Tina into anything. She wasn't orchestrating an affair, just introducing two people who might find each other interesting. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. She was steering the course of their lives in a way that could have devastating consequences.
Maria found herself replaying memories of her and Tina's childhood, searching for justification. Tina had always been the golden child, the one who could do no wrong in their parents' eyes. Maria, on the other hand, had been the rebel, the one who made mistakes and carried the weight of familial disappointment. Part of her resented Tina's seemingly perfect life, even as she loved her fiercely. It was this mix of love and envy that made the plan both unbearable and irresistible.
One night, unable to sleep, Maria sat in her living room, the dim light of the TV flickering across the walls. She clutched a glass of wine, her mind racing. What would happen if Tina fell for Vincent? Would he hurt her the way he had hurt Maria? Would Tina hate her for introducing them? And what about Maria's own marriage? Her husband wasn't oblivious—he had noticed her emotional distance, even if he didn't yet know the full extent of her betrayal. The thought of losing him made her stomach churn, but the thought of staying tethered to Vincent was worse.
The following morning, Maria tried to push the idea out of her mind. She focused on her daily routine, hoping that the monotony of life would drown out her thoughts. But as the hours passed, the plan only grew more vivid. It was like a song stuck in her head, impossible to ignore. By the afternoon, she had made her decision.
She called Tina, her voice carefully measured. "Let's have lunch," she said, forcing a breezy tone. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Tina hesitated on the other end of the line; her natural curiosity piqued. "Who?" she asked.
"A friend," Maria replied, her heart pounding. "I think you'd like him."
Maria spent the rest of the day preparing for the lunch, oscillating between determination and self-recrimination. She chose her outfit carefully, wanting to appear composed but not overly polished. She practiced her lines in front of the mirror, trying to anticipate Tina's questions and Vincent's reactions. By the time the sun set, she was exhausted, the weight of her decision pressing down on her like a lead blanket.
That night, as she lay in bed, Maria stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. She had crossed so many lines already; what was one more? But the thought of using Tina as a pawn made her chest ache with guilt. She told herself it was for the best. Tina was strong, capable of making her own decisions. Maria wasn't forcing her into anything. But no matter how much she rationalised, the guilt refused to fade.
The morning of the lunch, Maria woke early, her nerves jangling like a live wire. She dressed quickly, her hands trembling as she fastened her earrings. By the time she arrived at the restaurant, she was a bundle of anxiety, her stomach twisting in knots. Maria glanced at the door, her heart pounding as she waited for Vincent to arrive.
Vincent arrived at the elegant restaurant, his polished demeanour matching the venue's sophistication as Maria welcomed him to the table where she was seated. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to set something irreversible into motion, but she knew there was no turning back.
.Vincent exuded calm confidence, his sharp suit and composed expression giving little away. They exchanged a few terse words, Vincent's gaze occasionally flickering toward the entrance as they awaited Tina's arrival.