Chapter 1

“Ross, can I come in?” I was accompanying my wife, Blair, on a visit to her family’s rural hometown. Blair had just stepped out when her younger half-sister, Becky, pushed open my door in her pajamas. From the very first moment I saw Becky, I knew she was interested in me. Those big eyes would flutter, sending me covert signals. Now, taking advantage of her sister’s absence, she barged right in. I was showering. Startled, I hurriedly wrapped a towel around myself, my face flushing crimson. “Ross, you have such a good physique… you must be amazing in bed, right?” Becky bit her red lip, then deliberately squeezed the grapes in her hand. The implication couldn’t be clearer. My wife and I had a strong relationship. Girls at my company had tried similar tactics before, but I’d never wavered. My expression turned cold. “Becky, that’s inappropriate! Get out!” “Oh, I was just joking, Ross. You really can’t take a tease.” Becky snorted and put the fruit down. Not long after, I heard the sisters chatting in the courtyard. Knowing Blair was back, I finally felt safe enough to step out. Becky greeted me casually, as if nothing had happened. Mrs. Lee bustled about, urging me to have some late-night snacks. Gradually, I let my guard down, convincing myself Becky had just been joking. Blair’s family compound was large. Blair and I had our own separate courtyard, which was considered quite well-off in this rural area. I wasn’t sure where Blair had gone, but I noticed she was wearing a new bracelet that evening, humming happily. I decided not to mention the afternoon incident, instead tentatively asking when we’d return to the capital. Blair seemed reluctant. “Honey, you know Becky and I are half-sisters, but we’re really close. And remember, I’ve lived with Aunt Deb since I was twelve. After Dad passed, they’re the only family I have left here. I want to spend more time with them!” I didn’t press further. That night, though, I slept restlessly. Vaguely, I caught a whiff of a strange fragrance. My head grew heavy and foggy, and I started dreaming. In the dream, a pair of cold hands crept over my stomach, tugging at my waistband. “Honey, stop messing around…” I murmured, but when I opened my eyes, I saw Becky! I shoved her away violently. Becky shamelessly pressed closer. “Ross, don’t you really want me?” Beside me, Blair was sound asleep. Strangely, my wife, usually a light sleeper, seemed unusually comatose today. Furious, I was about to wake Blair when that same strange fragrance hit me, and I blacked out. When I woke the next morning, I couldn’t tell if it had been a dream or reality. I dressed quickly and went out to the courtyard. Becky was brushing her teeth by the water basin and greeted me perfectly naturally. If what happened last night was real, she couldn’t possibly act so normal, could she? Had I been too stressed lately, leading to that bizarre dream? Back in the room, I woke Blair and asked if she’d heard any strange noises during the night. “What are you getting at? You’re being paranoid!” Blair rubbed her neck as if she had a crick. I massaged her neck while stammering, “It’s just… have you noticed Becky looking at me strangely lately?” Blair paused, then suddenly laughed. “You’re overthinking it. Becky’s such a good girl. Even if she had any ideas, she wouldn’t dare act on them.” I couldn’t fathom how Becky was “good.” As far as I knew, she’d dropped out after high school and apparently had an abortion while still in school. Now, relying on her looks, she did borderline inappropriate content creation online. Not wanting to damage the sisters’ relationship, I sighed heavily and leaned against the windowsill to smoke. Unexpectedly, when I looked up, I saw Becky doing a striptease in the opposite room. Black stockings, swaying hips. I swallowed hard and instinctively looked away. Few men could resist that kind of temptation. For several days, I deliberately avoided Becky. Blair, however, was out every day attending clan gatherings. Someone seemed flush with cash, always gifting her jewelry – bracelets, necklaces – which she’d share with Becky and Mrs. Lee. Mrs. Lee was overjoyed, flattering Blair endlessly. “It’s all thanks to Ross! Blair married well, so we get respect when she visits. The whole clan is trying to curry favor!” Hearing the praise directed at me did stroke my ego. That evening, however, as I was preparing snacks for Blair, Becky suddenly appeared and whispered chillingly in my ear. “Ross, your wife is cheating on you!”