My husband’s "ghost of Christmas past" is back in town. Becca is the quintessential "cool girl." The kind who thrives on being the only woman in a room full of men, playing poker until dawn and knocking back whiskey like one of the guys. She’s built her entire personality around having no boundaries, especially when it comes to my husband, Harrison, and his circle of friends. I’ve spent years biting my tongue, swallowing my pride. Until tonight. Until I watched her drape herself over Harrison, pouting her lips with that fake, booze-fogged innocence, claiming she wanted to test their "brotherly bond." "Come on, Harrison," she cooed, her voice a sticky sweet syrup. "We literally shared a sandbox. We’ve known each other since we were in diapers. You’re really going to deny your best bro a little hug after all these years?" I watched Harrison’s face. He didn't look annoyed. He looked flushed, bashful—charmed. In that moment, something snapped. I reached deep into a corner of my mind I hadn't visited in seven years and pulled the trigger on the Fatal Attraction System. I’d forgotten that reboots take time. While the progress bar crawled in the back of my consciousness, Becca took it further. My five-year-old son, Toby, suddenly walked out of his bedroom and looked at me. "Mom," he whispered, his eyes unnervingly steady. "Let me handle this." "I’ve read the script." 01. Becca was currently nestled against Harrison’s chest. Sensing my icy stare, she playfully punched Harrison’s arm. "Don't mind me, Valerie," she said, flashing me a grin that didn't reach her eyes. "Harrison and I are brothers. We grew up together. I’ve seen him at his worst—and his most naked—so just think of me as one of the guys." Harrison jumped in faster than I could. "Becca, stop! Val, don't listen to her. That was a lifetime ago. I never let her see... anything." But even as he spoke, he didn't move her. He didn't push her away. Becca leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial stage whisper. "Oh, please. You forgot that night in college? You were wasted, I walked you home... I didn't just see it, Harrison. I played with it." She tapped her lips, feigning a "whoops" expression. "My bad, Valerie! Seriously, don't be mad. It’s a guy thing. Friends look out for each other." Harrison laughed nervously, putting a hand over her mouth to "silence" her. The two of them were so physically entwined they looked like a single creature. I felt like a ghost haunting my own living room. I couldn't take it anymore. I closed my eyes and summoned the interface. {System.} {Online.} {Reboot. Now.} I hadn't touched this power in seven years. I thought I wouldn't need it. I thought a stable marriage and a beautiful life were enough to keep a man’s heart. I was wrong. The "seven-year itch" isn't a myth; it’s a rot. I waited for the surge of power, but a notification popped up: [REBOOTING: 1%]. I’d have to handle this bitch the old-fashioned way. Becca, sensing the shift in the air, shifted her weight, angling herself so she looked like she was about to slip off the sofa. Before I could move, Toby stepped in front of me. His small hand pressed against my knee. "Mom," he whispered, so low only I could hear. "I’ve seen how this story ends." Before I could ask what the hell that meant, he let out a piercing scream. "AHH! A COCKROACH!" He hurled a brown, lumpy object straight at Becca’s chest. For a "cool girl" who claimed to be one of the guys, Becca had the reflexes of a frightened kitten. She shrieked, scrambling backward, lost her balance, and slammed hard onto the hardwood floor. The "cockroach" was pinned beneath her. Becca felt something sticky and let out a wail of disgust. "Harrison! Fix your kid! He’s throwing bugs at me! I think I broke my skin!" She grabbed Harrison’s arm, hauling herself up. "You need to take me to the ER right now. And you’re paying the bill!" Harrison turned on Toby, his face darkening. "Toby! What is wrong with—" "The only person allowed to yell at my son is me," I snapped, stepping between them. Harrison flinched, but Becca wasn't done. "Valerie, I get that you love him, but this is spoiled. He made me bleed. He needs to learn a lesson." Harrison nodded, his voice tight. "She’s right, Val. He’s out of control." I opened my mouth to tear into him, but Toby was faster. He darted over to Becca and, before anyone could stop him, flipped her white skirt up. The fabric covered her face, exposing her legs to the room. Toby pointed at her thigh. "Liar. There’s no blood. There’s not even a scratch." Then, he looked Harrison dead in the eye. "Dad, Mom hates it when you touch dirty, lying women." 02. The room went deathly silent. Harrison’s face went from red to a sickly, bruised purple. Under the watchful eye of his "first love," he made a choice. He swung his hand. Slap. "Enough!" I wasn't fast enough. Toby was on the floor, his small hand clutched to his red cheek. "What the hell are you doing?!" I shoved Harrison back, pulling Toby into my arms. Harrison looked away, jaw set. It was Becca who spoke up, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Valerie, don't blame Harrison. The kid needs boundaries. If you won't give them to him, someone has to." "Exactly," Harrison muttered. "He needs to learn what not to say. Forget it. I’m taking Becca to the clinic. You stay here and deal with him." They left. Just like that. The heavy front door slammed, leaving me alone in the foyer with my son. I checked Toby’s face; Harrison hadn't held back. The swelling was already starting. "I’m so sorry, baby," I whispered, tears pricking my eyes. I hated myself for waiting so long to wake the System. If I had been "The Muse" earlier, no one would have dared touch us. Toby shook his head. He leaned into my ear. "Mom, remember what I said? I know the script." "I provoked him on purpose. If he hadn't hit me, he would have hit you." On the way to the pediatric urgent care, Toby explained. In the "script" he knew, Becca was a woman who had burned through her life abroad and came back to systematically destroy the lives of the four men who had worshipped her in college. In that version of the story, Harrison was her favorite trophy. And the story ended with Becca driving me to a bridge and watching me jump. "I love you, Mom. I love Dad too. I didn't want anyone to get hurt." I stroked his hair in silence. I decided I would talk to Harrison tonight. One last chance for our family. I waited until midnight. Then one a.m. Harrison didn't come home. Instead, my phone buzzed with a notification. Becca had posted on Instagram. Becca: A real 'bestie' is the guy who feeds you your favorite street tacos when you're feeling down. The photo: Her leaning into Harrison’s side, him holding a taco to her mouth. They both looked radiant. I "liked" the photo. Seconds later, a second post appeared. This one was "Close Friends" only—she must have added me just to twist the knife. Becca: As a 'thank you,' I let my bro have a little taste. The photo was a close-up of her hand guiding Harrison’s hand onto her chest. Her smile was pure malice. Harrison was compromised. He was "dirty." Toby leaned over my shoulder. I covered his eyes with my hand. "Go to sleep, honey." [SYSTEM REBOOT: 35%] Harrison didn't crawl back until the next morning. He had a fresh, angry hickey on his neck. I was sitting on the sofa. I didn't offer him coffee. "What’s on your neck, Harrison?" Without Becca there to perform for, he tried to play the "Good Husband" again. He covered the mark with his hand. "Mosquito bite." "That’s one hell of a mosquito." He gave me a sheepish, manipulative grin and knelt by my feet. "Val, come on. Don't be like this. Look, I went all the way across town to get those lemon tarts you like. Let's just move past yesterday. Toby was out of line." "My son was telling the truth." Harrison’s face chilled. I didn't give him a chance to speak; I grabbed him by the ear and shoved him toward the stairs. "Go wash. Use the strongest soap we have. Scrub until you bleed." While he was in the shower, I did what Toby suggested. I broke into his phone. I found the group chat: "The Queen’s Court." It was new. The first message was from Becca. Becca: @Everyone, I’m still an 'invalid' from my fall yesterday. I want a spa day at the Hot Springs Resort tomorrow. No excuses. The replies from Harrison’s three best friends—Nate, Tyler, and Wes—were instantaneous. All they were waiting for was Harrison. I opened the camera. I was wearing a silk slip that left very little to the imagination. I crawled into our bed, took a shot that highlighted every curve, and hit send from Harrison’s account. Harrison: Sorry guys. Spending the day with the wife. Have fun. The chat exploded. Nate: Damn, Harrison. Lucky bastard. Tyler: Valerie is still the hottest woman I’ve ever seen. Wes: Can’t blame a man for staying home for that. It was working. But Becca wasn't going down without a fight. Becca: Oh, so Harrison's a 'wife guy' now? Cute. But anything she can give you, I can give you better. Or have you forgotten how I taste after seven years? Then, she sent a photo. She was wearing nothing but a strategically placed towel. Becca: If you guys have forgotten, I think it’s time for a private reunion. Who’s in? The men in the chat scrambled like dogs over a bone. I felt a wave of nausea. Then, a private message popped up from Becca to Harrison. Becca: Valerie might say no, Harrison, but we both know what you want. I blocked her. [SYSTEM REBOOT: 65%] 03. I expected Harrison to be guilty. I didn't expect him to be murderous. He snatched the phone from my hand and smashed it against the wall. A shard of glass flew up, slicing my cheek. Blood trickled down my face. He didn't even blink. "Who the hell gave you permission to touch my phone, Valerie?" He raised his hand again, but Toby threw himself in front of me. "Dad, don't! Please don't hurt her!" I pulled Toby back, laughing coldly. "So the mask is off, Harrison? You’re willing to trash seven years of marriage and your son for a woman who treats men like a buffet line?" "I asked you a question," he hissed. "Don't touch my things." "I’ll touch whatever I want." He stormed out. Minutes later, the front door opened. It wasn't just Harrison leaving; it was Becca and the three "best bros" arriving. Becca was in a bikini that was basically three strings. She saw the tension in the room and smirked, throwing herself into Harrison’s arms. "Trouble in paradise, bro?" She wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding against him right there in my living room. I shielded Toby’s eyes, my blood boiling. "Valerie, I told you," Becca purred. "Men need their space. You’re just making him miserable. Why don't you go be a 'good mom' somewhere else while the adults play?" Harrison gripped her hips, his hands wandering shamelessly. "Why are you here?" his voice was a low growl, completely different from the tone he used with me. "I figured the resort was too far. Why not just use your giant pool? I want to learn how to swim, Harrison. You’re going to teach me, right?" The other three men—Nate, Tyler, and Wes—crowded around, their eyes full of lust and jealousy. "I can teach you too, Becca," Nate muttered. "My turn for a hug," Wes added. Harrison’s possessiveness flared. He carried her out toward the pool deck, the other men following like a pack of hounds. I sat on the floor with Toby. He was crying quietly, wiping the blood from my cheek. "Mom, this isn't how it was in the script. It’s getting worse." I hugged him tight. Hang on, Toby. [SYSTEM REBOOT: 85%] 04. Toby was terrified. He still had a sliver of hope that his father was being "brainwashed." I knew better, but for Toby’s sake, I walked out to the pool for one last confrontation. The sight made me want to retch. The pool water, which I’d spent thousands to have specially treated, was covered in a film of... something. Becca was naked, clinging to the edge of the pool. Harrison was behind her, his movements unmistakable. He didn't even stop when he saw me. "Just teaching her to tread water, Val," he mocked. The three friends stood guard, their own bodies reacting visibly. "Harrison," I said, my voice dead. "I’m filing for divorce tomorrow." I turned to walk away. Toby, who had followed me, didn't understand the mechanics of what was happening, but he understood the betrayal. He ran toward the edge of the pool. "You’re a liar!" he screamed at Becca. "You know how to swim! I saw your pictures from the beach! Stop touching my dad!" Becca let out a sharp, theatrical moan. "Harrison, look at your kid. He’s calling me a liar." She shifted her hips provocatively. Toby grabbed her arm, trying to pull her away from Harrison. "Get away from him! Get out of my house!" I ran to grab Toby, to get him away from the filth. But the three friends stepped in, shoving me back, grabbing Toby by his small shoulders to protect Becca’s "lesson." In the chaos, Harrison pulled away from Becca. Becca’s eyes flashed with a cruel, sudden inspiration. She let go of the ledge and sank. "Help! I can't swim! He’s drowning me! Murder!" Harrison panicked. He grabbed Toby and me, and with a surge of strength, shoved us both into the deep end. "If anything happens to her, Valerie, I’ll make sure you rot in a cell!" He hauled Becca out of the water. The three friends swarmed around her, while Toby and I struggled to surface. Nate reached down, not to help, but to shove my head back under by my hair. "You really crossed a line this time, Val," Nate sneered. "Becca’s precious." I fought upward, gasping for air, holding Toby’s limp body. He had swallowed water. He was turning blue. On the deck, Becca was coughing delicately into Harrison’s chest. The four men looked at her like she was a dying saint. "Push them back down," Harrison said, his voice cold as ice. "They need to cool off." I felt hands on my shoulders, pushing us back into the dark. I held Toby to my chest, praying, screaming internally. "Harrison," Becca yawned. "I’m bored of this. Let's play something else." The hands vanished. I broke the surface, coughing violently, and dragged Toby onto the tiles. He was unconscious. I pumped his chest, sobbing, until he coughed up a lungful of pool water. "Harrison," I rasped, my eyes burning red. "You’re a dead man." Harrison didn't even look back as he carried Becca into our house. "What do you want to play, baby?" I dug my nails into my palms until I drew blood. [SYSTEM REBOOT: 100%] [PROTOCOL: IRRESISTIBILITY ACTIVE. COMMENCE?] {Commence.}
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