My Fiancé Watched as His Mistress Tried to Kill Me

The afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting golden light across the Egyptian cotton sheets. I smoothed my hands over the silk duvet, adjusting the pillows for the third time. Everything had to be perfect tonight.

"Come on, Katherine," I whispered to myself, "you can do this."

My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the small medical bottle on the nightstand. Dr. Chen had prescribed this specialized lubricant specifically for my condition—vaginismus, the diagnosis that had haunted me since adolescence. The cream-like substance contained both a dilator and localized anesthetic, designed to help my body relax enough for penetration without the searing pain I'd experienced before.

I uncapped the bottle, examining the clear gel inside. The instructions were clear: apply generously, wait fifteen minutes, then proceed with gentle pressure. Tonight would be different. Tonight would be normal.

"Just a few hours, and Xander will be here," I murmured, recapping the bottle and placing it prominently on the nightstand. "And I'll finally be able to give him what he deserves."

My reflection in the mirror showed a woman I barely recognized—flushed cheeks, nervous eyes, but determined. I touched my collarbone, a habit I'd developed whenever anxiety threatened to overwhelm me.

The intercom buzzed, startling me. "Ms. Foster, the catering staff is here," the doorman announced.

"Send them up," I replied, smoothing my dress.

When I opened the door, Brittany stood there with a champagne bucket, her smile too wide, too bright.

"Happy birthday to Xander!" she chirped, pushing past me into the penthouse. "I helped organize the catering since you were so busy with... other preparations."

Something in her tone made my skin prickle, but I pushed the feeling aside. Brittany had been Xander's best friend since college—his words, not mine. I'd learned to tolerate her for his sake.

"It's all set up," she said, lingering in the bedroom doorway. Her eyes flicked to the medical bottle on the nightstand, and a small smirk played at the corners of her mouth. "Everything looks... ready."

I felt heat rush to my face. Had she seen what it was? Did she know?

"I should go," she said, but made no move to leave. "Wouldn't want to intrude on your... special evening."

Finally, she left, but the door clicked shut behind her with an unsettling finality.

---

The elevator doors opened at seven sharp, revealing Xander. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his eyes were slightly glazed—he'd started the celebration early.

"Happy birthday," I said softly, rising to kiss him.

"Katherine," he sighed against my mouth, his breath warm and smelling of expensive whiskey. "You've gone to all this trouble..."

"It's no trouble," I assured him, taking his jacket. "I want tonight to be perfect."

Brittany appeared again, as if summoned by some unspoken signal. "Rehabilitated the birthday boy!" she announced, throwing her arms around Xander's neck.

I watched them embrace, noting how her fingers lingered at the nape of his neck, how he didn't immediately pull