My cry echoed through the night.

Strong.

Sharp.

Dangerous.

Michael stopped immediately.

He turned around.

Slowly.

Too slowly.

My heart almost leaped out of my chest.

"No... no... he heard me," I whispered, pressing my body against the tree.

For a moment, everything became silent.

Even the river.

Even insects.

SO-

"Who's there?" asked Michael's voice.

Calm.

But not normal.

There was something… strange.

I held my breath.

I pray.

I hope.

She begged him not to come near.

But he did it.

Step by step.

Closer.

Closer.

The sound of her footsteps on the dead leaves gave me goosebumps.

I close my eyes very tightly.

"Please don't find me... please..." I murmured through my teeth.

SO-

He stopped.

Right in front of the tree.

I could feel his presence.

So close.

Too close.

But he didn't speak anymore.

Instead-

He turned around.

And he went back towards the river.

I opened my eyes slowly.

Confused.

Relieved.

But still terrified.

"What... just happened?" I whispered.

Cautiously, I glanced behind the tree.

And what I saw next…

It chilled me to the bone.

Michael was no longer alone.

Standing inside the river…

It was a woman.

Half of his body was submerged in the dark water.

Her long hair hid her face.

Her skin…

Too pale.

Almost luminous in the moonlight.

She didn't look human.

Michael went straight into the water.

As if someone were calling him.

As if he were at home.

"No..." I murmured, shaking my head.

"That's not possible..."

The woman slowly raised her head.

And for a second…

I saw his face.

My heart stopped.

It looked like…

Me.

Exactly like me.

The same eyes.

Same nose.

Same lips.

But her smile…

His smile was inappropriate.

Too wide.

Too empty.

Michael was standing in front of her.

Silent.

Always.

As if he were under a spell.

SO-

She held out her hand.

And he touched her face.

Gently.

With love.

As a wife would.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"What is this...?" I whispered.

The woman spoke.

His voice echoed strangely on the water.

You arrived late tonight..."

Michael did not respond.

He stared at her.

Lost.

Completely lost.

Then slowly—

He took off his shirt.

He went deeper into the river.

And she disappeared into his arms.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from screaming again.

My whole body was trembling violently.

"He's not my husband... he's not my husband..." I kept repeating.

Suddenly-

The woman's head turned abruptly in my direction.

My heart stopped beating.

She saw me.

I was sure of it.

Even at this distance-

I could feel his gaze fixed on me.

Dark.

Hungry.

SO-

She smiled.

And he pointed at me.

"Bring her in," she said.

My blood ran cold.

Michael turned around.

Slowly.

And he began to emerge from the river.

Towards me.

Her eyes—

They no longer belonged to him.

"Vanessa..." he called.

But that voice…

That voice no longer belonged to my husband.

And at that moment…

I understood the truth.

Michael wasn't cheating on me.

It was being claimed.

The woman in the water-kybie