Chapter 2
Angela stood a short distance away, her eyes rimmed red as she watched us.
I stared at Simon, my tone cold as I warned him, "This is the last time."
After saying that, I pulled my hand away from his and headed straight for the security checkpoint.
Once on the plane, I put on my sleep mask, ready to get some rest.
Not long after, I heard the faint sound of someone typing on their phone beside me.
I took off my sleep mask and glanced over.
Simon was typing away on his phone, his fingers moving quickly in a chat with someone named "Angel."
He wrote: [Don't cry. It's all my fault.]
A chill ran through me.
He noticed my gaze and, panicked, tried to hide his phone.
"Who are you chatting with?" I asked coldly.
"No one, just a client," he said, not meeting my eyes.
I scoffed. "A client called Angel?"
His face went pale.
"Honey, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just afraid she might do something stupid," Simon said.
"And what if she did? Are you going to die with her?" I shot back.
My voice was a bit loud, and people in the row ahead turned to look at us.
"Keep your voice down," Simon said, his face flushing with embarrassment.
He was losing his patience now.
"After all the trouble we went through to finally go on our honeymoon, can you stop talking about her for once?" Simon grumbled.
"Am I the one bringing her up, or are you just unable to get over her?" I snapped back.
Simon frowned.
"Angela and I are just friends, ever since we were kids. Why can't you ever trust me?" he said. "Can you be a little more mature about this?"
Here we go again.
I closed my eyes, refusing to say another word to him.
When the plane landed, the hotel shuttle was waiting for us.
Simon tried to take my hand, but I pulled away.
The car door opened, and just as I was about to get in, I froze.
Angela was sitting inside, smiling at me.
Beside her were Simon's two childhood friends, Percy Sinclair and Mike Webber.
"Hey, Joyce! What a coincidence," Percy called out with a grin.
I spun around and shot Simon a deadly glare.
Simon looked awkward.
Angela hopped out of the car, grabbed Simon's arm, and playfully stuck her tongue out at me, looking smug as ever.
"Simon secretly invited me behind your back. He said the more, the merrier, and that you'd totally love having a crowd," Angela said. "You're so petty. But Simon still looks out for me."
"Angela, shut it," Simon snapped, clearly flustered.
From inside the car, Percy shouted, "Come on, Simon, stop pretending. You're the one who paid for all our tickets."
I looked at Simon's pale face and couldn't help but let out a laugh.
His act at the airport was Oscar-worthy.
Back at the hotel room, Simon followed me in, still spinning his lies.
"They insisted on coming. Percy borrowed the money from me. I had no idea Angela would show up," he said.
I watched him put on his little show.
"Done talking?" I said, my voice cold as ice.
He froze.
"Then get out," I snapped, pointing at the door.
I shoved him out with everything I had.
Then I slammed the door shut and locked it behind me.
I slid down against the door and sat on the floor, tears falling silently.
Outside, I could hear Angela and the others trying to talk me down, their voices mixed with Simon's relentless knocking.
I shut it all out.
*****
Two hours later, I changed into something fresh and decided to step outside for some air.
As soon as I opened the door, Simon was standing right there.
Angela, in a scandalously skimpy bikini, was all over him, practically rubbing herself against his arm.
"Simon, let's go for a midnight swim tonight, just like we did back in college," Angela said.
She gave me a look, clearly trying to provoke me.
Simon looked uncomfortable, his eyes avoiding mine. "Honey, she—"
"You're so generous, Joyce. You wouldn't mind, right?" Angela flashed an innocent smile.
I walked right up to them and stared Simon down.
"Are you going?" I asked, my voice icy.
"Honey, I just want to help her unwind, that's all," Simon said, still scrambling to explain himself.
"If you dare step out of this room, we're finished. For real," I said, my tone cold as ice.
Simon quickly pushed Angela aside and hurriedly said, "I'm not going."
Angela stumbled back, staring at him in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears.
She gave me a hurt look, then turned and ran off.
Simon let out a sigh of relief.
"Honey, see? I sent her away for you. Can you stop being mad now?" he said.
There wasn't a hint of apology in his voice.
I couldn't be bothered to fight with him anymore. I pulled my hand free and headed back to the room.
I lay down on the bed and buried my head under the blanket.
He assumed I was asleep.
After what felt like forever, I was jolted awake by the vibration of a phone.
It was Simon's phone on the nightstand.
The screen was lit up, and the contact name "Angel" was striking.
Angel: [Simon, your wife didn't cause trouble for you again, did she?]
I picked up his phone. It was unlocked.
Guess he was not worried about me snooping.
I pulled up their chat and started scrolling back.