Chapter 2

"Harper's travel papers," I said.

Then I closed the folder before Olivia could see which page I'd been reading.

I handed the blue folder to her.

Olivia took it, but her eyes scanned my face.

"Ava, you look so pale," she said. "Are you okay?"

"Just a stomachache," I lied.

Olivia relaxed. She didn't ask anything else.

The anniversary dinner proceeded exactly as planned.

I forced smiles, engaged in conversation, and ate my food. I didn't expose them right there in the dining room.

In the dark corners of my mind, I held onto one last, desperate hope：maybe Harper was just a terrible mistake from six years ago.

The next morning, Mason and I were supposed to walk along the beach trail.

It was the exact same trail from our very first trip eight years ago.

Just as we reached the door, his phone vibrated on the counter. Standing right beside it, I caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

Olivia.

Mason snatched the phone quickly, avoiding my gaze.

He stepped out onto the balcony, sliding the heavy glass door completely shut before answering.

When he finally returned, his expression was perfectly molded into one of mild concern.

"Something came up at work," he sighed. "I just need to step out for an hour."

Normally, I would nod and tell him to go. Not today.

"Do you really have to go today?" I asked quietly.

Leaning in, he placed a tender kiss on my forehead. "I wouldn't if it wasn't important. I promise."

Then, he walked out the door.

Once again, a sudden "emergency" took priority over his wife. But this time, I knew who was really on the other end of the line.

Grabbing my keys, I followed him.

His car never went near the downtown office district.

Instead, he drove straight to Olivia's suburban neighborhood.

Parking a block away, I walked closer just as the front door swung open.

Harper ran out into the yard.

She didn't hesitate or look around. She just threw her arms around him.

"Daddy!" she squealed.

My heart completely shattered.

Mason wasn't just sending money in secret.

He was truly participating in Harper's life.

Turning away, I prepared to walk back to my car, but the sound of an argument on the porch stopped me in my tracks.

"You left my bed three nights ago and went home to plan an anniversary trip with her!" Olivia snapped bitterly.

The words struck me like a physical blow. Three nights ago. They were still sleeping together.

I listened closer, and the truth became even darker.

They hadn't been sleeping together this whole time.

They restarted their relationship exactly two years ago.

Right after my miscarriage.

While I thought we were mourning our lost child together, Mason was finding comfort in Olivia's bed.

"What happens when Ava finds out?" Olivia demanded.

"She'll be furious," Mason replied calmly.

"And she'll leave," Olivia pushed.

"No," Mason said, his tone dripping with quiet confidence. "I know my wife. Eight years of marriage doesn't just disappear because I screwed up."

I stood frozen.

He knew this was serious.

He knew it would hurt me.

But he genuinely believed I was too weak, too dependent, to ever actually walk away from him.

I didn't storm the porch. I didn't scream. I simply turned around and walked back to my car.

Pulling out my phone, I fired off a text to my former coworker, Claire.

"Is that position you mentioned still open?"

Back at the hotel, I dragged my small suitcase from the closet and began packing my personal items.

Just as I zipped the bag closed, the heavy door lock clicked.

Mason pushed the door open, his eyes immediately locking onto the suitcase resting on the mattress. The gentle, confident smile vanished from his face.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice suddenly tense.