They were the loveliest shade of white. That's the first thought Susan had as she peered down at the short ceramic vase that cradled the most perfect dozen white orchids she'd ever seen. They had been placed cheerfully in the center of the welcome mat on her porch. The neighbor's cat, Baby Jane, sat curiously next to the bundle, licking her paw and glancing between the pure blossoms and the woman who stood in front of them.

"You shouldn't have." She cooed to the impassive cat.

They were her favorites, she thought smiling to herself as she knelt down in one graceful dip to secure the orbicular black vase. As she walked them inside, she heard her husband's hurried footsteps on the stairs.

"Thank you so much, Ethan. They're beautiful." He swept into the kitchen where he saw his wife happily arranging and rearranging the orchids on the breakfast table. He planted a hasty kiss on her cheek while straightening his tie.

"What's beautiful?" He asked with one tawny eyebrow raised in question.

"The flowers of course." She turned and stared into his impenetrable eyes, noticing his vacant expression. "Oh, you didn't send these?" She sounded so disappointed he was tempted to say he had.

"Sorry, Babe." He gently stroked the underbelly of the nearest orchid, noticing for the first time the silver ribbon that was tied along the lip of the vase.

"What's this?" He plucked a small silver rectangle hidden beneath the bunch. "It's a card." Susan leaned over his shoulder and together they silently read the dark bold lettering:

"Beautiful Flowers, for the World's most Beautiful Woman

-Sincerely, Your Secret Admirer"

"How cute, looks like someone has a crush on you." Ethan chuckled to himself as he poured a cup of coffee from the splintered glass pot on the counter. "I'm not sure if I like other men sending you gifts."

"Jealous?" She smiled up at him.

"Only that I didn't think of it first. Speaking of surprises, I'm taking you out to dinner tonight. Don't tell yourself." He leaned down to lay a gentle kiss on her lips. "Happy Anniversary."

"To ten beautiful years, and hopefully ten more." She agreed. He smiled sweetly, pouring the remainder of his coffee down the drain.

"You really didn't send them?" She asked skeptically. There was no one else, as far as she knew who would go through the trouble of sending her flowers, and besides that who else knew her favorites.

He placed his right hand over his heart and with solemn eyes said:

"I swear on my life, Sue." He flashed his goofiest grin as he strolled casually back in the direction of their bedroom to prepare for work.

Susan shrugged to herself, and snatched her purse off the counter as she sauntered out the door and to her car, spirits lifted by the morning's fascinating turn of events. She smiled to herself while reaching down to stroke Baby Jane between the ears. A secret admirer, she thought, sounds like fun.

Susan frowned down at her desk. She eyed the small heart shaped box suspiciously, looking around at the lined cubicles and wondering if this token was related to her earlier present. With a sigh she tossed her purse under her desk and reached manicured hands toward the lid of the dark red box. Chocolates. Ten of them, lined arbitrarily within the plastic tray inside the cardboard container.

Taking a second look she realized with surprise that there was another note, attached carefully to the lid of the small package with the same silver ribbon. With inquisitive fingers she slipped the card from its tether and read the same bold lettering from before:

"I See You.

-Sincerely, Guess Who"

Susan peered around the crowded office, puzzle etching her face.

"Did anyone see who left this candy on my desk?" She asked to disinterested faces and muffled, unconcerned "No's".

"Are they the little peanut filled kind?" Asked Cathy, her best friend and co-worker.

"I don't know, I haven't eaten any." Susan stared down at the ominous heart one more time before she grabbed her cell phone and began anxiously dialing the number she knew by heart.

"How about sharing?" Cathy asked, her mouth practically watering.

"Yeah, sure." Susan called back absently, as she walked toward the solitude of the supply closet, listening intently to the ringing in her ear.

"Hey." Hearing Ethan's voice, though, he was miles away gave Susan a comforting reassurance.

"Hey, Hon...I've got to ask you a question and I want a straight answer, no jokes."

"Okay. Sounds serious, are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine, it's just...did you send candy to my office today?" She turned further into the wall when she saw someone coming down the hall. He stepped into the closet, trying his best to listen in on Susan and her nervous phone call.

"No, why?" She could almost see the curve of his face, eyes bright with question.

"Well I got this heart shaped box of chocolate-"

"Oh. More presents from the mystery man." He chuckled.

"You sound amused." The man came out of the closet, arms full of three-ringed binders. He gave a glum nod as he passed. She didn't recognize him, must have been from one of the other floors.

"I am amused. Amused that someone out there has the guts to sends tokens of affection to my wife, and equally amused that she finds it so suspicious."

"So you don't think I should be worried?" Ethan was the kind of man whose hunches were always right, a trait that worked well in business. If he wasn't worried, then she trusted his instincts.

"Nah. Probably just some foolhardy kid with a crush. He'll send a few gifts, then after a while ask you out in person. Once you tell him you're married, he'll ease up. Don't stress about it too much." The line was quiet for a while, and then she heard him clear his throat. "Look, my boss is walking this way. I've got a meeting in five. Can we talk about this over dinner tonight?"

"Okay. Love you."

"Love you too." She shut her eyes tightly and listened for the line to go dead. Maybe she was being silly. Receiving little trinkets of affection was nothing to lose her mind over. Ethan was probably right. This thought comforted her as she walked ruefully back to her small lonely cubicle.

Working her tired body into the driver's seat of her car, Susan leaned back to allow for the peace and quiet to ease its way into her body. She'd been feeling her age lately, a humbling admission. At thirty-seven she was still a bit on the fit side, but noticeably heavier than she'd been ten years ago. The aches of encroaching middle-adulthood were starting to set in, but she put it out of her mind and moved to insert her keys into the ignition. With her foot on the brake and a weary sigh for the coming drive home she started to slowly back out of the tight parking space.

That was when she saw it. She hadn't noticed it before partly because she had been so tired, and partly because it was hidden in a mess of knotted thread and chain. There hanging from the rearview mirror among the collection of useless charms and ornaments, was the gold chain of a pendant.

Glimpsing at it, she had almost backed her car into a blue Coupe parked behind her. She pulled back into the space, putting the car in park and double checking to make sure all the doors were locked. It was caught snarled in a long silver linked pendant that held a smooth flat angel at the end. The two were entangled together and Susan had a time prying loose the new gift.

And what a gift, at the end of a long link of white gold chain cradled a large pear-shaped diamond. Her blood ran cold as she looked for the next clue. She found it hidden on the other side of the driver's visor. With trembling hands she held up the small silver rectangle and read the words with as much courage as she could muster.

"I'm coming for you. Later Tonight.

-All My Love, your secret admirer"

Susan's breath caught. Her throat tightened. She gripped the steering wheel with sweaty palms, letting the note slip from her fingers and land softly in her lap. As deep, gasping breaths began to shake her body, Susan began to panic.

How did he get in the car? The first question washed over her in a wave of nausea as she suddenly knew the answer. The only other key to her car besides the one she carried on her person at all times was hanging from the key rack beside the front door of her home. Had he been inside the house? He must have, there was no other way. Susan was careful to the point of paranoia about locking doors. She didn't leave the door to her car unlocked; no, some person had invaded the serene security of her personal life to send a message. He'd been in the house, the car, and likely at her job. The only question that truly mattered now was what to do.

She took another shaky breath and willed her hands to stop trembling. She'd feel better once she was safe at home with Ethan, he'd calm her down. Together they'd call the police and find the freak that'd go through so much trouble to get her attention. Reassured, she put the car in drive and made the nervous drive home.

The thirty-five minutes it took to get from her office to her home had left her nerves in ruin. The silent drive had ensured that every possible scenario, all overwhelmingly negative, played out leisurely in her mind. Her imagination had wandered to the most terrifying places, where no matter what, there was no hiding. That was part of what scared her most. With her privacy compromised, she felt like her world had been unhinged. Like there was no place she could go to flee the frightening omnipresence of the unknown assailant.

As she pulled into her garage she tried to reassure herself again. Maybe this guy would turn out to be some harmless little lonely man with a crush, after all, none of the gifts had been overtly threatening. Only just slightly creepy. Then again, Maybe Ethan was wrong.

She climbed out of the car only after she'd made sure the garage door was firmly closed. She grabbed her work bag where earlier she'd tossed the sinister necklace, and made her way to the side door. She told herself to remain calm. That what this guy mostly wanted was a reaction. It was probably just some kid, playing a prank on the neighbors, seeing if he could get a rise out of the stupid lady across the street.

She wanted to believe that desperately, but she couldn't. Somewhere, in her core she knew that today's events had a much darker purpose than a childish joke. That she was the prey in some nameless cat and mouse game, and that it was only a matter of time before her antagonist exposed himself. The only thing she could do was be smart. She'd lock herself in her home until Ethan got home, then the two of them would call the cops.

As she reached a shaky hand on the knob of the side door, she paused. Around the circular handle she could feel the smooth bow of a ribbon. It was almost totally dark in the garage, only the light from the sinking sun shone through a window high on the top to the garage door. With trembling hands she reached for the light switch, reluctant to face this new threat. She hesitated, thinking of ignoring it, but found her nerve, and proceeded to brush the switch. Pulse hammering in her ears and skin clammy with dread, she untied the silver ribbon and read the card through trepidation blurred eyes.

"This is only the beginning of my fun. Look down.

-You're Angel of Death"

At first she didn't understand, but slowly comprehension forced her gaze downward toward the old floor mat that lay beneath her feet. It felt as though her heart leaped to her throat when she saw it, eyes frozen in terror, staring up at her.

"Baby Jane!" The words caught and she felt dizziness take hold of her being. She steadied herself against the side of the house, sick to her stomach. The neighbor's cat lay on her mat, its eyes a mask of death and its black fur matted with blood. The poor creature had been stabbed; its body spotted with deep angry gashes, its throat slit. It glared up at her with condemning eyes, as if somehow blaming its tragic demise on Susan. For an instant she felt the weight of responsibility, its life ended by a psycho who'd set his sights on her. A casualty of this grotesque game.

In full terror mode, Susan ran inside dropping her belongings on the tile, her eye catching something that didn't belong. In the kitchen, on the table in front of the now foreboding flowers sat the menacing steel of a butcher knife from her own counter; a silver note lay over the blade. The blade a clear message what her final gift would be. She grabbed the knife, clutching for dear life and read the message with barely contained horror.

"This is how I killed her. She died easily, compared to what I'll do to you."

The kitchen door began to rattle with the force of the predator. He was slamming his body against the frame of the door, throwing all his weight into entering her sanctuary.

"He's trying to get in!" Her mind raced. If she could get behind a sturdier door, she could lock herself in and signal the neighbors to call for help.

The grip of panic crushing all reason, and terror propelling her body, she made a run for the living room. She heard the nerve shattering collide as the door was forced open, leaving her exposed against the onslaught of her would be executioner. She screamed then, terror washing away all good sense, and propriety lost to the raging of pure fear. She made a beeline for the stairs, the safety of the master bedroom her only viable option. He was much quicker than her, and soon she would learn much stronger. He grabbed her leg and she vaulted forward, landing face-first on the carpeted stairway, the spastic beating of her heart taking what little breath she had left. He dragged her down to him and she took the opportunity to strike, blindly kicking and swinging the butcher knife with all her strength.

"Ahhh!" He grunted as she sliced him across the forearm. But he kept coming, unfazed, a force of fury and power that shook her to her core. In a moment of complete primal instinct her will to live took over hesitation and she stabbed frantically, finally catching flesh. At last his assault halted and he staggered back holding the side of his torso, the intenseness of his pain audible only in his rigid fuming breaths.

"Why?" Recognition unclouded her eyes and Susan saw that the man before her was her husband. "What did I do? Why would you do this?" He cried as he took a few more rickety steps back.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't know..." Dropping the knife, she took a tentative step toward the man she loved.

"Stay away from me!" He tried to make a dash for the kitchen but fell to his knees. "You're crazy!" His eyes were wild with pain and alarm.

Her energy spent and her mind muddled with bewilderment she dropped to the floor, all earlier distress abandoned. Relief taking hold of her body in deep soul shaking sobs.

Ethan leaned back in his chair reading the paper on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The article on the front page was about him and Susan.

"Wife Sentenced in Anniversary Stabbing."

He smiled. Susan had made it too easy. After she'd left for work that morning, he'd taken the opportunity to switch the original card from the flowers with one of his own.

"Happy Anniversary" It read in his own cheerful handwriting. Then he'd lured the cat into the house, careful that no one saw and killed her in the bathroom tub. He left its body on the porch then proceeded to work as usual. On his lunch break he'd driven the five miles to her job and left the necklace hanging from the rearview mirror.

The hard part was convincing Cathy to help him. They'd been having an affair for years, but she was still Susan's friend. He'd turned on all his charm and pleaded with the dumb bitch to leave the chocolates on Susan's desk. Then she ate all of them when Susan wasn't looking, ensuring that they'd be discarded into the trash. Later after Susan left work Cathy traded the note on the box of candies for another of Ethan's handwritten love notes. He pulled the same switch while he waited in the garage. In her haste to get inside she'd foolishly dropped the card from the necklace onto the ground. Stupider still, she'd never even removed the card from around the door knob, so all he needed to do was get rid of it quickly, then start his assault.

When the cops arrived, all evidence of his treachery had long been disposed of. All they saw was a crazy woman attacking her doting husband with a knife on their anniversary. The jury was especially moved with all the little presents he'd sent her all day. What kind of sick woman would try to kill her husband, and for no seeable reason?

He sighed contently, folding the paper carefully and setting it aside. He'd asked the court for a divorce, which they'd granted; poor man had suffered enough. Susan had tried to explain about the bizarre notes and his rage filled attack, but the jury was cruel and all they found were her fingerprints on the knife that had stabbed a man unprovoked and the blood from the carcass of an innocent house pet. They called her a monster. They called her insane. Ethan just liked to call her inferior. He'd realized some time ago that he was better than her, in every way. He deserved someone more on his level. He deserved someone prettier, younger, and who could see and appreciate his brilliance for what it was.

He had long grown tired of her. He thought of divorcing her, but the lawyer fees made had made his head spin. He thought of just killing her, but if she turned up missing or dead he was the first person they'd suspect. So he thought of this elaborate ploy to get Susan to aid in her own downfall. After all, imprisoned psychos don't collect alimony. It had been a risky plan but the higher the risk, the better the payoff. He loved basking in his newfound freedom, and all it cost him was a couple of shallow stabs to the gut. As he predicted the woman couldn't even handle making the killing blow. Her weakness disgusted him.

"What do you want for dinner?" Cathy walked into the study a vision in a pale blue sundress.

"I thought maybe we'd go out." He wrapped his arms around her, giving her his goofiest grin.

"Sound good." She was younger than Susan, but not by much. How long would it be until he got bored with her? He knew he'd grow tired of her sooner than later, just a matter of time. He leaned down and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.

"Then again, maybe we can stay in." She laughed as he playfully chased her around their home, ever while watching with calculating eyes, waiting for their time together to meet its fateful end.