It’s a perfect evening to leave. 

A beautiful sunset.

Hopes for a better future. 

I’m happy, as I haven’t been in many years. 

I’ve already gotten rid of the wallet with my documents. I destroyed my phone, fully packed of pictures and memories, by running it over at least ten times with the car, before abandoning the vehicle in an unknown street. 

All I have from my current life are the clothes I’m wearing and a backpack full of cash. I don’t need anything else. 

Only Delphine is missing. She’ll arrive soon as she’s always in time. 

I turn to the modest suburban hotel, the place where we met these last few months. I’ve been happy here, but with too many precautions. Always limited time, great attention to details to avoid contradictions, especially with my family.

I’ve arranged everything: Laura and the kids will have the business, the investments, our bank accounts. They will not miss anything, except what they have now: a non-existent husband, an absent father, a fifty-year-old man with no prospects. I’ve come back to life only after meeting my beautiful Delphine. 

My eyes burn. I wipe away a few tears, forcing myself to look ahead. 

Here come the headlights of her car: I will hug her, destination Spain, then we will take a ship to the Caribbean. We’ll build something together on a tropical beach. We’ve fantasized so much about what comes next that I can already smell the sea, feel the warmth of a stronger sun on my skin. 

She stops at the sidewalk. I quickly hop in, and she takes off right away: no one must see us. 

Only then I smile, looking at her. 

She is shocked, frozen in a dazed expression. Tears have melted her makeup, transforming her face into a horrifying mask. She doesn’t look at me, but staring ahead. 

«Delphine, what…? »

Suddenly, someone grabs my neck from behind, trying to choke me. I struggle, pulling the fabric strip cutting my throat. 

I use all my strength, trying to grab him with one hand. I’m fighting for my life. I hope she helps me, but she keeps driving. It’s all in vain, he’s too strong. 

My breath slows, my thoughts become faint. 

I no longer see the distant sunset. In my mind, there’s only Laura, beautiful, in the photo taken on our wedding day.