Chapter 3

After the meeting, I went back to my desk.

My coworker, Zoe, came over. "Saige, you look a bit off today. Didn't get much sleep last night?"

"Yeah, got back late from my business trip," I replied.

"Oh, do you want to go take a nap in the break room?"

"No, thanks."

After Zoe left, I turned on my computer and got to work.

I had to keep busy. When I was busy, I didn't have time to think about all that drama.

At noon, I grabbed lunch in the company cafeteria.

My phone kept buzzing nonstop, so I put both David and Raelyn on Do Not Disturb.

At 2 PM, my phone rang. It was Linda.

"Saige, did you stop by the house at lunch?" she asked.

I paused, a little thrown off. "No, I'm at the office."

"Alright, make sure you get home early tonight. I'll be coming over for dinner."

"Okay."

I hung up, still a little confused. 'Linda never came over. Why is she suddenly showing up today?'

After work, I made my way back home.

I stood downstairs for a long time before finally going up.

I opened the door to find the living room lights still on.

David was sitting on the couch, and as soon as he saw me, he sprang to his feet.

"Honey, you're finally home." He came rushing over to hug me.

I stepped back. "Don't touch me."

His hand froze mid-air. "Honey."

"When's your mom coming over?"

"Uh?"

"She told me she's coming for dinner tonight."

David froze, and his face drained of color. "She... She must be joking. Don't take it seriously."

I stared at him. "Did she find out?"

David's eyes flickered, dodging mine. "Find out what?"

A cold laugh escaped me. "Wow, not only did you stab me in the back, but now you're bringing your mom in for backup?"

"Honey, please, let me explain—"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I walked over and opened the door.

Linda was standing there, holding a bag of fruit.

When she saw me, her face was hard to read. "Hi, Saige, here I am."

"Come on in, Linda. Have a seat." I moved aside so she could come in.

She walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.

David stood off to the side, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, not saying a word.

Linda gave him a look and let out a sigh. "Saige, I know what happened last night."

I sat across from her, not saying a word.

"David told me everything." Linda's voice betrayed no emotion. "He said that woman had too much to drink and stayed over for the night. That's all there was to it."

I looked at her. "Linda, do you actually believe that?"

She paused for a moment. "Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter. What matters is whether you two can stay together."

I nodded. "So, you want me to forgive him?"

"Saige, listen to me." Linda leaned in. "I know David. He's always been a good kid. He'd never do something like that. It must've been that woman who seduced him."

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "Linda, that woman is my best friend of ten years."

Linda was caught off guard.

"So what? Because she's your best friend doesn't mean she's a good woman," she said, not bothered. "She went after David. What was he supposed to do? That's how men are."

I stared at her, making sure she heard every word. "She was wearing my pajamas, sleeping in my bed, and David had come out of the shower. Linda, you really think that's nothing?"

Linda's expression shifted. "Well. Yeah, David messed up too, but honestly, that woman is the real problem. Saige, you're mature. Let it slide.

"You've been married five years. No matter what, he's your husband, and you still have to live with him."

"Seriously? How am I supposed to do that?"

"Act like nothing ever happened," she said breezily, totally unfazed. "It's not like you lost anything."

I was stunned. "What did you say?"

"I said you didn't lose anything," she replied matter-of-factly. "David didn't do anything to you. You're still his wife, still living in this house. That woman? She's a side piece. Just kick her out, and that's that."

I took a deep breath. "You really think I didn't lose anything? He betrayed me, made me a laughingstock, and hooked up with my best friend. That's what you call not losing anything?"

Linda frowned. "Why are you being so harsh? Hooked up with her? Can you prove it?"

I froze for a second. 'Yeah, do I have any proof?'

All I saw was Raelyn lying there in my pajamas and David coming out of the shower. I didn't have any actual proof.

Those photos on Raelyn's feed showed they'd met up, not that anything really happened between them.

Linda caught the hesitation in my eyes, and her voice got louder. "See? You don't have any proof. Maybe that woman got drunk, and David was being nice, letting her stay the night. So, stop imagining things."