Chapter 2

At first light the next morning, I called a locksmith.

While he worked on the study lock, I paced around the living room, my heart pounding harder and harder.

Just then, my phone buzzed with an anonymous text. [Your husband is cheating on you.]

I recognized the number. A month ago, the same message had popped up on my screen. I'd deleted it, chalking it up to a random scam. I never expected a second round.

I stared at the screen, my heart in turmoil once again. He had no reason to cheat behind my back.

I told him from the start that if he ever got tired of our sexless marriage or fell for someone else, he could tell me. I'd let him go.

Back then, he pulled me into his arms, his chin resting on my head. He promised he would never divorce me and would love me forever.

His eyes were so sincere when he said it. I couldn't believe he'd ever do something like that to me.

"It's open," the locksmith called out.

I deleted the text and pushed open the door to the study, a room I hadn't stepped into for two years. The whole place had changed.

It used to have cool tones, but now everything had been replaced with warm colors.

The biggest change was right in front of the desk. A huge white sheet, roughly six feet by six feet, was pinned to the wall with thumbtacks, clearly hiding something behind it.

Feeling a mix of curiosity and nerves, I walked over and gently pulled at the sheet.

The fabric slipped down, revealing a massive nude portrait of a woman.

The pose, the smile, the face... It was Chloe Adams, my best friend.

When I left the company three years ago, she came to me, saying she'd been fired and couldn't find a job.

At the time, my parents had me locked up at home, forcing me to take meds, and I was barely holding it together. Even so, I set her up as Ryan's secretary.

She was capable, genuine, and always treated me well.

I never expected her to repay my kindness this way.

As I stared at the naked portrait, my chest suffocated with a rising fury that I couldn't release.

My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone, but I didn't cry.

I calmly opened the family group chat and sent a message. [Hey everyone, come over for dinner tonight. I need to talk to you all.]

After that, I called Chloe. The phone rang a few times.

"Hello?" It was Ryan who picked up.

His voice came through the receiver, and it felt like a needle piercing straight into my ear.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The pain reminded me I was still here.

"Tell Chloe to come over for dinner tonight," I said.

There was a brief pause. Ryan replied, "Emily, Chloe's busy. I saw the phone ringing, so I answered."

I didn't want to hear his excuses. "Never mind. Just let her know," I said.

After hanging up, my phone buzzed again.

The same unknown number sent me a photo.

I tapped it open. In the office break room, Ryan and Chloe were wrapped up in each other, kissing hard, with Ryan's hand sliding under Chloe's shirt.

The image was so sharp that I could see the bracelet I'd given Chloe shining on her wrist.

I stared at the photo for a long time, then went back to the texts.

The message from a month ago, [Keep an eye on your husband.], and the one I received this morning, [Your husband is cheating on you.], were both sent from the same number.

Turns out, someone had been trying to warn me way back then.

I didn't reply. I took a screenshot and saved it to my secret album.

Ryan didn't call back to explain.

By 7:20 PM, everyone had arrived.

As soon as Ryan walked in, he tried to hug me from behind, as always. I turned away, and that same strong perfume hit me again. It was so intense that it made me nauseous.

"Emily, I don't think it's appropriate for me to attend your family dinner," Chloe said, standing behind Ryan. She glanced at me, then looked to Ryan for reassurance.

I smiled, taking in their little exchange. "Of course not. You're the star of the show tonight."

I took her hand and sat her down in the seat right next to me. She was the main character tonight. If she left, the show wouldn't get started.

The dinner table was dead silent.

"Emily, is there something you want to announce?" my dad asked, barely hiding his impatience as he sat down. "Ryan and Chloe had plans tonight, but they dropped everything because of you."

My mom opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, no words came out.

Ryan's parents completely ignored me, fussing over Chloe and loading up her plate as if she were their daughter-in-law.

Ryan came over and pulled out the chair beside mine, but I stood up abruptly.

"I called you all here today because I need you to be witnesses," I said, giving Ryan a look of pure disgust.

"What's wrong with you today?" Ryan frowned. "Are you still upset I missed our anniversary? If you really want to celebrate, I can get off work early-"

I cut him off, "Ryan, let's get a divorce."