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.

Liv followed silently, and for the first time in twenty years of marriage, she regarded her husband as if he were a stranger.

The night passed in a restless haze. Liv drifted into troubled sleep, only to wake, listening to her husband’s breathing beside her. Every time she opened her eyes, her heart began to pound. Reality hit her like a heavy weight. Mark slept peacefully, even snoring lightly, and that calm felt monstrous to her.

How could he rest so soundly while plotting to kill his own wife?

In the morning, he woke first, stretched, and turned to her with a smile.

“Well, birthday girl, let’s welcome your day.”

He kissed her cheek and Liv barely restrained herself from pulling away.

“Good morning,” she managed.

They ate breakfast in near silence. Mark scrolled through his phone, occasionally commenting on traffic or the weather. Liv chewed her toast mechanically, tasting nothing. Detective Hayes had called last night while Mark was in the shower and confirmed that everything was set. His team would be at the restaurant disguised as ordinary patrons. Liv was to act naturally and wait.

“Listen, I have to swing by the office this afternoon,” Mark said, finishing his coffee. “I’ll be back in the evening, pick you up, and we’ll head to the party. Get your dress ready beforehand so you’re not rushed.”

Liv nodded without looking up.

“Okay.”

He left around 1:00, leaving her alone.

She went to the bedroom, opened the closet, and pulled out the blue dress she had intended to wear yesterday, simple, elegant, the one she felt comfortable in. She hung it on the closet door and stared at it for a long while, trying to gather her thoughts.

The phone rang.

It was Nikki.

“Mom, happy birthday.” Her daughter’s voice was bright, warm, and full of energy. “How’s your mood?”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Liv tried to make her voice sound light. “I’m fine, just a little nervous.”

“We’re already on the road. We’ll be at your place in about an hour. Mikey got so excited he forgot his favorite toy car at home, we had to turn back. By the way, did you try on the dress? Dad couldn’t stop talking about it. I can’t even imagine how beautiful it is.”

Liv swallowed hard.

“I did try it on, but I decided to wear a different one. The blue one. You remember.”

There was a brief pause.

“A different one? But Mom, Dad ordered that one especially for you.”

Read more on next page