Chapter 6

I stood at the sink, staring at my hands.

They were shaking from anger.

David, you've really outdone yourself.

You told me our joint account was empty. Then you turned around and paid thirty-five hundred for Olivia's rent. You took her out to a five-hundred-dollar meal.

And me?

On my last birthday, you said we should save money and cook pasta at home. You added an egg and said you'd make it up to me when we had more.

Turns out you were saving it all for her.

Fine.

I took a deep breath.

That was one more piece of evidence.

That evening, David came home carrying a cake.

"Sophie, happy anniversary," he said with a gentle smile. "I know I'm a day late."

"I stopped by your favorite bakery," he added.

"Thank you." I took the box.

The cake was delicate and expensive, the kind I'd always wanted but never bought for myself.

"What made you splurge today?" I asked.

"I was wrong before." He pulled me into a hug. "From now on, I'll get you one every year."

"David, you're so good to Sophie."

Olivia stepped out of her room, already changed.

Her slip dress barely covered her thighs.

"Oh, Olivia, you're here," David said, letting go of me, a bit stiff.

"I just got ready. I'm heading out." She picked up her purse. "Friends invited me out to sing. I'll be back late."

"Be careful," David said.

"I will."

At the door, she turned and smiled at him.

"Thanks for coming with me to the interview today. The cake looks amazing, save me a slice."

"Sure."

The door closed.

David let out a quiet breath.

"Why hasn't she moved out yet?" he asked.

"Tomorrow."

I cut into the cake. "You rented a place for her?"

He froze for a second. "How did you know?"

"She told me."

I handed him a slice.

"It's thirty-five hundred a month, pretty pricey," he said.

"She just started working and doesn't have money yet, so I'm covering it for now. She'll pay me back once she gets paid."

"Okay."

I didn't press.

Pushing further would make me look petty.

"Oh, and about Sarah," he went on. "I transferred the money. Thirty thousand, to Michael."

"Got it."

"You're not upset, are you, Sophie?"

"No."

I took a bite of cake. The cream was sweet, almost cloying.

"That's your money. You decide."

"Our money," he corrected. "What's mine is yours."

Is it?

Then what about Olivia?

Is she yours, too?

I didn't say it out loud. Some things, once spoken, can't be taken back. Not yet.

"By the way, I have to work overtime this Saturday," David said suddenly. "I might be home late."

"Okay."

Saturday.

The usual place.

I remembered.

"Why don't you ask about my overtime anymore?"

David looked at me, puzzled. "You used to ask all the time."

"And if I asked, would you stop working late?" I shot back. "You'd still go anyway."

"Yeah, I guess so." He scratched his head. "Sophie, you seem different lately."

"How so?"

"You've grown up. You used to complain about how much I worked. Now you don't argue or make a fuss."

"People change."

I leaned into his arms and caught his scent.

It used to make me feel safe.

Now it just made me sick.

"David."

"Hmm?"

"Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do." He didn't hesitate. "You're the only one I'll ever love."

"Is that so?" I closed my eyes. "Good."

It was late.

David fell asleep.

I lay beside him, eyes wide open.

My phone lit up.

A message from Jack.

[I found something.]

[Let's meet tomorrow and talk.]

I replied: [Okay.]

I turned to look at David. He was sleeping soundly, a faint smile on his lips.

Who was he dreaming about?

Olivia?

I slipped out of bed and walked into the living room.

I turned on the computer and logged into that forum using David's account.

I found the private message and typed a reply.

[Same place on Saturday. I've missed you, too.]

I hit send, then deleted the record.

After shutting down the computer, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the night.

This city is huge, big enough to hold so many lies and betrayals at once.

And yet it feels so small, small enough that there's nowhere for me to run.

But that's fine.

Soon, I'll have my own way out, and I'll take everything that's rightfully mine.

As for you two, enjoy your last sweet dream.

Because when you wake up, it will be hell.

David was up unusually early that Saturday morning.

He shaved, blow-dried his hair, and went through three outfits before settling on the light blue shirt I'd bought him last month.

"Sophie, does this look good?"

He stood in front of the mirror, checking himself from every angle.

"Looks good," I said, flipping eggs in the pan without turning around. "That shirt makes you look younger."

"Right? That's what I thought."

He adjusted his collar, pleased.

"We've got an important client today, so I need to look presentable."

"Male or female?" I asked.

"Male," he answered quickly, then added, "A few guys, we're talking business."

A lie.

The message had said, "Same place."

What kind of client meets at the same place?

"What time will you be back tonight?"

"Hard to say. Might be late." He wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Don't wait up. Just go to bed."

"Okay."

I plated the eggs. "By the way, Olivia's moving today. Aren't you going to help?"

"She found other friends."

David let go, grabbed his car keys. "I'm in a hurry. I've got to go."

"Drive safe."

The door shut behind him.

I stepped onto the balcony and watched him drive away.

Then I went back inside and changed.

Black tracksuit, baseball cap, face mask.

I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself.

Grace called.

"Hey, babe, I'm downstairs."

"I'll be right there."

I grabbed my bag and headed out.

Inside were a mini camera and a voice recorder.

Jack had given them to me.

Grace's white SUV was parked outside the complex, the windows tinted dark.

"Got everything?" she asked as soon as I got in.

"Yeah."

"Jack found more." She handed me a file. "David and Olivia have been involved since last year."

I opened it.

Photos, hotel records, chat screenshots.

Dates and locations are clearly laid out.