Chapter 2
I skimmed through their chat history.
There wasn't much information, but what was there was damning.
They had been at this for over half a year.
I kept scrolling up, hoping to find more clues.
Suddenly, Daisy's phone buzzed.
A new WhatsApp message popped up.
It was from that same "honey."
It read: [Almost forgot to tell you. Tomorrow, make sure to wear the Heart of the Ocean necklace I gave you with your dress.]
I recognized that Heart of the Ocean necklace.
Last month, Daisy told me she had won the grand prize at her company's annual raffle.
It was an expensive sapphire necklace.
I had been happy for her good luck at the time.
Now I realized it was another lie.
I put the phone back, making sure everything looked just like it had before.
The sound of running water in the bathroom stopped.
Daisy came out in her bathrobe, towel-drying her wet hair.
She said, "Honey, look at the necklace I won in the raffle today. Isn't it gorgeous?"
As if she had just remembered, she pulled the jewelry box out of her bag and opened it up, showing it off like a treasure.
The deep blue gemstone glinted under the light, its cold, dazzling sparkle almost blinding.
She had no idea that an even bigger "surprise" was waiting for her tomorrow.
And I needed to prepare something for this surprise too.
I needed a waiter's uniform.
*****
The next morning, Daisy was up bright and early.
She was humming as she browsed through her walk-in closet, more excited than I had ever seen her.
As usual, I made her breakfast.
"Honey, you're so sweet today," she said, coming over and giving me a quick kiss.
That kiss felt like a cold seal pressed against my cheek.
"I've got an important brand event today, so I won't be home for lunch," she said while eating her sandwich.
A brand event.
What a convenient excuse.
"Alright, take care on your way," I said, nodding and locking eyes with her.
Her gaze darted away, unable to meet mine.
After breakfast, she took her time getting ready, slipped into that champagne dress I had never seen her wear, put on the Heart of the Ocean necklace, and walked out the door.
She barely stepped out before I followed right after.
I had seen the location of their "brand event" on Daisy's phone last night.
It was at the Azure Hotel, the most luxurious spot in the city.
I didn't head straight to the hotel.
First, I swung by a dry cleaner's near the hotel.
Such hotels had extremely strict requirements for employee uniforms, which were all sent to professional dry cleaners.
I handed over 300 dollars to a young employee who was about to clock out and "borrowed" a freshly cleaned and pressed Azure Hotel waiter's uniform.
It fit perfectly, neither too big nor too small.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, I changed into the uniform and walked in through the hotel's staff entrance with ease.
No one suspected a thing.
I had a fake employee badge pinned to my chest, tray in hand, looking more legit than the actual staff.
After all, I knew the design of this hotel better than anyone else.
Because I personally designed every corner of this place.
I was an architect.
Three years ago, I had won the highest design gold award in the industry for this project.
That was also the year Daisy and I got married.
I thought I had the whole world in my hands.
Now it seemed I had just built a magnificent stage for others to perform on to their hearts' content.
How ironic.
I carried my tray, weaving between the kitchen and the banquet hall.
The Azure Hotel had been booked out, decked out like a grand engagement party.
There were pink balloons, white roses, and a towering champagne pyramid.
On the backdrop at the center of the stage, it read: [Dream of A&D].
A and D.
A for Stuart, D for Daisy?
No, I quickly dismissed that idea.
The cologne on the "honey" in Daisy's phone wasn't Stuart's.
So who was this A?
I saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd.
They were all our college classmates.
They were all dressed up, drinks in hand, laughing and talking at the top of their lungs.
Their eyes were glued to the stage, faces lit up with excitement and overflowing with well-wishes.
It was like this whole celebration was the most natural thing in the world.
And I, Daisy's legal husband, was like a rat that couldn't see the light, mixing among them.
I spotted Daisy.
She stood out in the crowd, like a ray of sunlight.
That champagne dress and the Heart of the Ocean necklace made her look absolutely breathtaking.
There was a man standing right next to her.
He was tall, dressed in a crisp white suit, with his back turned to me.
I couldn't make out his face.
But I could clearly see his hand resting on Daisy's waist.