AN EYE FOR AN EYE,A NIGHT FOR A NIGHT...1-The Broken Marriage

A crime drama with thriller elements and a touch of eroticism




Ralf was a man to whom life had given everything he had ever wanted—for a long time, at least.
He was wealthy, successful, and accustomed to doors opening the moment he approached them. As a real-estate agent, he had amassed a considerable fortune. But his greatest possession was the old castle he had acquired years earlier and partially modernized.
A sprawling park surrounded the estate. Behind its ancient walls were numerous rooms, long corridors, and vaulted chambers dating back to a time when castles were not merely homes, but fortresses designed to shut out the outside world.
Ralf loved the estate.
And apparently, women loved Ralf.
Only his marriage to Simone had long since fallen apart.
On the outside, however, it still seemed to work.
At least sometimes.




That morning, Simone drove her five-year-old daughter, Marly, to kindergarten.
The blonde little girl sat in the back seat, quietly singing to herself.
When they arrived, she climbed out.
"Bye, Mommy!"
"See you at lunchtime, sweetheart. And have fun playing."
"I will!"
Marly waved one last time and disappeared through the entrance.
Simone remained sitting in the car for a moment.
She watched her daughter go.
Marly was the only thing left in her life that still seemed completely untouched.
Then she started the engine and drove to Doris.




Doris owned a successful beauty salon and was one of Simone's closest friends.
"Well, my dear!" Doris greeted her with two kisses. "You look absolutely fabulous again."
Simone gave her a faint smile.
"That's kind of you."
Doris studied her.
"But you don't look happy."
"I'm not."
"Ralf?"
Simone nodded.
"Who else?"
Doris walked around her as though examining her face more closely.
"Well, there's nothing I can sell you today."
"Why not?"
"Because you don't actually need anything."
Simone sat down.
"I wish Ralf would say that for once."
Doris fell silent.
"Sometimes," she said at last, "a man doesn't realize what he had until it's gone."
Simone looked at her questioningly.
"What does that mean?"
Doris smiled.
"Nothing. Come on. Let's have some coffee."




A few weeks later, Ralf and Simone held one of their famous summer parties again.
More than a hundred guests filled the castle and its grounds.
Lanterns floated among the trees. Torches burned along the paths. Candles flickered on tables and stone walls. Music drifted from the castle into the warm summer night.
People danced, laughed, and drank.
Ralf moved confidently through the crowd.
He was the host, the businessman, and the center of attention all at once.
Simone watched him from a distance.
Doris stepped up beside her.
"I really envy you."
"For what?"
"Everything. This castle. The money. Ralf. And then there's Marly."
Simone looked at her.
"You envy me?"
"Of course."
"You only know the façade."
Doris said nothing.




At that moment, Rudi approached them.
"Simone! You can't spend the whole evening standing around."
"Why not?"
"Because you have to dance with me."
Simone laughed.
"That's a very convincing argument."
Rudi took her hand.
"See? I knew you'd come to your senses."
The two of them headed for the dance floor.
Doris remained behind.
She watched them.
For a long time.
A very long time.




Around midnight, Elke approached Simone.
She looked unusually agitated.
"Come quickly."
"What is it?"
"I have to show you something."
"What?"
Elke hesitated.
"Maybe it's better if you don't see Ralf."
Simone suddenly grew serious.
"Now more than ever."
"I warned you."
"Then show me."
About thirty guests followed them.




They went out into the park.
Torches were lit.
Then Simone stopped.
There, in front of her, lay Ralf and Doris in the grass.
Locked in each other's arms.
For a moment, the whole world seemed to stand still.
Then Simone said:
"This... this can't be real."
No one answered.
Ralf sat up.
"Simone, listen to me..."
She raised a hand.
"No."
Her voice was remarkably calm.
"May I introduce them?" she said to the people standing around her. "Doris, my best friend."
A bitter smile.
"And my dear husband."
Doris hurriedly covered herself.
"Simone..."




"You envied me for my husband."
Simone picked up a burning candle.
"Now I at least know why."
She let hot wax drip onto Ralf's back.
He cried out in pain.
Doris spun around.
"Are you insane?"
Simone hurled the candle aside.
"Maybe."




Doris stared at her.
"You'll pay for this humiliation."
Simone met her gaze.
"I'll be waiting for that day."
Doris' voice became quiet.
"You should."

No one knew that those words would prove to be more than an empty threat.


 

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