The Clairvoyant

4

The next day, I called Zoe to my office again, noticing she brought along a doll this time.

"Nice doll," I commented lightly.

"A new friend gave it to me," Zoe replied, busily adjusting the doll's limbs.

Curious about her abilities, I decided to test her further by asking about my father-in-law, the hospital's director. If she could accurately describe his current activity, I promised a larger doll as a reward.

Zoe, skeptical yet intrigued, nodded in agreement.

As she closed her eyes, reminiscent of a peaceful slumber rather than any mystical ritual, she began to describe a scene: "An elderly man with white hair, soaking in a wooden tub filled with dark, steaming water."

My excitement was hard to mask; she was spot-on. The herbal bath was part of the asthma treatment regimen I had devised for the old man.

Could Zoe truly peer into others' lives?

Next, I asked about Megan. Zoe's vision of a bustling mall was confirmed with a quick phone call, despite the poor connection.

The implications were thrilling. I could uncover anyone's secrets effortlessly.

After lighting a cigarette, I asked Diana what she was doing, hoping to surprise her tonight. But Zoe's response shocked me. Hugging her new doll, she said the tattooed woman was in a white room with a handsome man, and then took off her clothes...

"What?!" My sudden exclamation made Zoe open her eyes wide and grip her doll tightly, looking at me reluctantly.

I must have looked furious, yes, I had frightened her, but I couldn't help feeling upset.

I tried to reach Diana, but her phone was unreachable, lending credence to Zoe's words.

I suddenly recalled Diana's sigh last night, about being tired and wanting a place to settle down. Hah, I thought bitterly, so this is her idea of settling down, betraying me!

Ignoring the ashtray, I angrily flicked the cigarette butt onto the white marble floor.

I don't remember how I raced back to the vacation home.

I burst into the villa to find Diana lounging on a chaise in a silk negligee, sipping coffee. The gown outlined her alluring figure, and her beautiful face looked at me in surprise.

A true beauty, to me and surely other men too.

I grabbed her wrist and demanded to know who the strange man was she saw today. Diana shook her head in shock, insisting it wasn't true.

I tore her negligee off, checking her body until I saw a bruise on her thigh.

"You got this from your illicit affair, didn't you?!" I was livid.

Diana, terrified, said it was from bumping into a table.

Bumping into one? What a coincidence.

Blood rushing to my head, I seized her hair and threw her to the floor, then slapped her twice.

Diana kept whimpering piteously, swearing I had made a mistake.

Of course, she didn't expect me to uncover her secret!

I kicked and punched her body, then grabbed her chin and glared into her eyes. "Whether it's true or false, a mistake or not, it's my duty to teach you a lesson. Woman, I'm the only one who decides when I'm bored of you and throw you away. No one can betray me!"