Indeed, this is the moment she’ll exact vengeance on her spouse. A week ago, she overheard his conversation with his mistress, and that’s when her plan took shape…

Go and rest. Miranda lay in bed, tossing and turning, thinking about how to confront Kevin and present the evidence against him. There was plenty of it, the recording from the dictaphone, the mysterious liquid in the lens container, the overheard conversation with Andrea.

She wanted to kick him out of the apartment and be done with it, but her heart thirsted for revenge. And Andrea. They hadn’t seen each other once after all this.

It was difficult to look into the eyes of someone she had trusted for so many years. As if it wasn’t Andrea who was to blame, but herself, Miranda. She was already dozing off when the doorbell rang.

Miranda opened her eyes and listened intently. In the hallway, there was muffled laughter and whispers. She sat up on the bed, listening carefully.

Why did you come? Kevin was speaking softly. She might wake up. So what? A female voice laughed.

She’s already halfway there, as you say. What does it matter if she wakes up? I’ve missed you so much. And at work, you’re so strict, you don’t even look at me.

Darling, let’s go to a nightclub and then, to my place. All right, I’m coming, Kevin agreed. He headed to the living room, presumably to get his phone, while Miranda sat on the bed, unable to move.

She realized who was their guest. It was Andrea. Shameless and completely fearless.

How much longer would she tolerate this? Miranda abruptly stood up and left the bedroom. At that moment, Kevin, who had already returned to the hallway, was kissing Andrea. Hello, friend, Miranda said softly, her voice seething with anger.

Her fury was making her tremble slightly. She held on to her last bit of strength to prevent herself from grabbing the homewrecker by her hair. Miranda? Andrea peeked out from behind Kevin’s shoulder and smirked.

I was told you were fast asleep. Don’t hold your breath, Miranda hissed furiously. You’re such a vile creature.

Anyone but you. And why not me? Andrea smirked arrogantly. I’ve always liked Kevin.

It’s just a coincidence that he approached you first, but then he realized his mistake. Isn’t that right, Kevin? Girls, don’t fight, Kevin muttered in confusion. He was taken aback by the situation.

Everything was spiraling out of his control. You scoundrel. Miranda shouted.

Get the hell out of here. I’m not going anywhere, Kevin suddenly declared. I live here, it’s my registered address.

And so what? This is my apartment. Get the hell out and go to your little whore. Miranda was furious.

I don’t want to see either of you again. Losing control of herself, Miranda threw the first thing she could grab at Kevin. It was a floor vase.

The vase crashed right at Kevin’s feet. Oh, Kevin, Andrea wailed. You were right, she’s completely unhinged now.

We should call a special team. Call it for yourself. Miranda exclaimed.

Get out, or I’ll call the police right now. And what will you tell them? Kevin suddenly smirked. That you’re throwing yourself at people? Your friend came to visit, and you’re attacking her.

Isn’t that right, Andrea? Andrea readily nodded her head. And the team will believe me faster, you’ve been under psychiatric observation for over a month now. The doctor regularly visits us and witnesses your deterioration.

He warned me long ago that you’re becoming uncontrollable, Kevin boldly declared. I, Miranda’s outrage left her breathless. No one visits us.

You see, you even have memory lapses. Do you at least remember smashing the dishes in the kitchen today? So, it’s that guy with the annoying mustache, Miranda guessed, brushing off her husband’s question. Mr. Thomas is a highly regarded specialist in the city.

His diagnosis is trustworthy. In short, go to the bedroom and calm down, or else they’ll take you away to the hospital right now. Miranda recoiled from her husband.

His face contorted in a grimace of anger. It would cost her too much to fight him at that moment. Miranda went into the bedroom amid Andrea’s satisfied laughter.

Then the door slammed shut, and her husband and his lover left. Miranda collapsed onto the bed and burst into tears. What was the use of collecting evidence that her husband had ill intentions towards her? Apparently, he had already announced her incompetence to the whole world, and being taken to a mental institution was just a matter of time.

After all, what was her recording on the dictaphone worth? Nothing. It would be difficult to prove who was speaking, when, and where. Perhaps those words were taken out of context from a different conversation.

What about the medicine? Where was the proof that she didn’t retrieve it herself and that the phone call with the lover was just her imagination? Kevin could turn everything around in such a way that her own words would be used against her. Miranda felt lost and crushed. Her happy life, all her plans and expectations, had crumbled.

Her husband would now act openly against her, and Miranda didn’t know what to do. T-Night, she had a dream. She was walking through an autumn park, with leaves rustling under her feet and bright sunlight shining.

It felt warm and joyful, as if nothing terrible had happened in her life. Suddenly, a huge dog, black and shaggy, ran up to Miranda. Quiet joy turned into panicked fear.

She couldn’t move her legs or arms. Her scream got stuck in her throat. The dog didn’t attack, it simply stood in her way, blocking her path.

Finally, regaining some composure, the woman tried to step aside, but prickly bushes grew on both sides of the path out of nowhere. She turned back and saw a little girl running towards her, just about six years old. The girl saw Miranda and shouted, Mom, don’t be afraid.

Buddy is so friendly. The girl ran up to Miranda, reaching out her hands. The woman recoiled from the child.

Mom? She didn’t have a daughter. Her baby had died. But the little girl just shook her head, cautiously bypassed Miranda, and approached the dog, petting it.

Let’s go, buddy. Nobody loves us, the girl said loudly, and they walked ahead on the path, the little girl and the huge black dog. In an instant, they vanished like smoke, and Miranda wanted to run after them, but her feet seemed rooted to the ground.

The girl, the strange girl. Miranda never even saw her face, it was blurry, like in a fog, and only the ringing voice remained in her ears, Mom. The woman even woke up from that cry.

Her heart was pounding furiously, sticky sweat covered her forehead, and her limbs felt as if they had turned to stone. Miranda struggled to sit up. What was that dream? Did her own daughter appear in her dream? It had never happened before.

Yes, this year, her daughter would have been the same age as the girl in her dream. Why did she come to her? Miranda asked herself this question a thousand times, and found no answer. Oh, God, I’m really going crazy, Miranda whispered.

She took a deep breath, listened carefully. Kevin wasn’t home, and that was good. Meeting her husband would be the most difficult test for her right now.

How could she look at him? How could she talk to him after what happened yesterday? And then her phone rang. Unknown number. After some hesitation, Miranda picked up the receiver.

Hello, Ms. Miranda. She heard an unfamiliar female voice on the other end. Yes, it’s me, Miranda cautiously replied.

You’re getting call from the children’s home. My name is Angelina. I work as a caregiver in the preschool group…