My deceased father appeared in my dream the night before my birthday and warned, ‘Don’t wear the dress your husband gave you.’ I woke up trembling, because my husband had just given me that dress. And when the seamstress brought it back and I checked the lining, I realized my father hadn’t just visited in a dream, he might have prevented something I hadn’t noticed.

“You’re a strong woman, Mrs. Sutton. Everything will be fine. I promise.”

They went over the details a little longer. Then the detective left, taking the dress with him as evidence.

Liv stayed outside the lab for a moment, staring at the empty street. Evening was falling. Soon Mark would return home and she would have to face him, knowing he wanted her dead, speak to him, smile, pretend everything was normal.

She returned home barely able to stand from exhaustion and shock. She entered the house, undressed, and collapsed on the sofa, covering herself with a throw blanket, her eyes closing on their own.

But sleep was impossible. Only endless thoughts swirled through her mind, offering no peace.

She remembered the past few months, how Mark had grown more withdrawn, irritable, how often he left the room when his phone rang, how he insisted on taking out the life insurance.

“It’s necessary for the family’s security,” he had said.

All those little details she had overlooked now combined into a chilling picture. He had planned this carefully, meticulously, and she had almost become the victim of his scheme.

Yet her father had saved her. Even in death, he had protected his daughter.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Liv whispered into the quiet. “Thank you for not leaving me.”

Tears flowed again, but this time they carried not just grief, but gratitude and determination. Tomorrow she would attend her party, and Mark would realize his plan had failed.

The door slammed.

Her husband was home.

Liv quickly wiped her tears and rose from the sofa, forcing herself to look calm.

“Liv, I’m home,” Mark called from the entryway.

“I’m here,” she replied, stepping into the hall.

He studied her closely.

“You look a little pale. Everything okay?”

“Yes, just tired,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’ve been on my feet all day getting ready.”

“I see. Well, you’ll rest at the party tomorrow.”

He walked into the kitchen.

“What’s for dinner?”

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