Chapter 4

David finally spoke up, "My mom is right. Babe, you're totally misunderstanding. There's really nothing going on between Raelyn and me."

I stared at him. "Nothing? Then why was she wearing my pajamas?"

"She... She said she wanted to try them on."

"Oh, so she had to try them on at 2 AM, in my house?"

"She..." David stammered, unable to finish.

Linda said, "Enough already. Saige, I get that you're feeling hurt, but you still gotta live your life. You and David have been married five years. There's real history here. You can't lose your mind over something so trivial."

"Trivial?" I shot back.

"Yeah, trivial." Linda was dead serious. "What's the big deal? You're not getting divorced, and you're not fighting over the house. Let it go and move on."

I stood up. "Linda, I'll remember every word you said."

I walked into the bedroom and shut the door.

Behind me, I could hear Linda's voice. "Look at her, slamming the door like that. Who does she think she is?"

"Mom, please, stop," David pleaded.

"Why would I stop? I'm doing this for her own good. If she really gets a divorce, who would ever marry her after that?"

I leaned against the door and closed my eyes.

Her words were like knives, cutting me to the bone.

But she was right about one thing.

I had no proof. I had nothing. All I had was anger and humiliation. And in this house, that didn't count for anything.

That night, I sat alone in the bedroom for ages.

After Linda left, David was out in the living room, making a phone call.

I could hear his voice, so low that I could barely make it out.

David said, "Stop calling her. She's not going to pick up.

"I know, I'll handle it.

"Hang tight. Once things settle down here, I'll explain everything to you."

I let out a cold, bitter laugh.

He was busy reassuring Raelyn. His wife was stuck in the bedroom, and he was out there comforting his side chick.

This was my husband, whom I had been with for seven years and married for five years.

The door was pushed open, and David stuck his head in. "Honey, maybe you should eat something."

I refused to look at him. "I'm not hungry."

"Want me to get you some water?"

"No need."

He lingered in the doorway, struggling to find the words. "Honey, could you—"

"David." I cut him off. "I need to ask you something."

He paused, caught off guard. "What is it?"

"How long has it been between you and Raelyn?"

His expression turned panicked. "Babe, you're overthinking this—"

"Answer me. How long?"

He stayed silent.

I stared at him. "Half a year? A whole year? Or has it been longer?"

He avoided my gaze. "We... We're not together."

"Then what about that mark on your neck?"

He instinctively touched his neck. "It's a mosquito bite."

"A mosquito bite in March?"

"This..."

"David." I stood up and walked right up to him. "You know what disgusts me the most? It's not that you cheated. It's that you lied to me."

His face went pale. "I..."

"You really think I'm clueless? That I don't see what's going on?"

I pulled out my phone and held up the screenshots from Raelyn's social feed right in front of his face. "Tell me, whose hand is this?"

He looked at the screen, and his face drained of all color.

"Where is this restaurant?" I pressed.

He stood there, speechless.

"Whose sweater is this?" I continued.

David's lips moved, but he couldn't get a single word out.

I put my phone away. "See? I knew it all along. I just kept quiet."

"Honey..." David said.

"Don't call me that." I fixed him with a cold stare. "Starting today, we're sleeping in separate rooms. You're taking the couch."

"Honey!"

"If you call me that again, I'll be at the courthouse tomorrow."

David froze.

I turned, slammed the bedroom door shut, and locked it tight behind me.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

As I was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, my mind was flooded with memories from the past.

Raelyn and I had known each other for ten years.

We were college roommates, and after graduation, we rented a place together, job hunted together, and got set up on dates together.

She had three relationships, and every time she went through a breakup, I was always there for her.

She once told me, "Sai, you're my best friend."

She also said, "Sai, when you get married, promise me I'll be your bridesmaid."

Five years ago, I married David, and she really ended up being my bridesmaid.

During the toast, she got tipsy and wrapped her arms around me, crying her eyes out. "Sai, you have to be happy."

I couldn't help but cry too. "Raelyn, you'll find happiness too."

Back then, I thought we'd be best friends for life. I thought we'd grow old together. I thought

At the thought of these, the tears finally fell.

I wasn't crying for David. I was crying for Raelyn, the ten years of friendship we'd built together, and the blind trust I'd given so freely.

The next day, I took the day off. It wasn't because I was upset. I had something important to do.

I needed to gather evidence.

Linda was right. I didn't have any solid proof.

The photos on social media only proved they'd met, not that they were involved.

I needed more evidence.