Chapter 3 · The Unlocked Connection

Chapter 3

Lily paused, almost caught off guard, instinctively glancing at Michael, then quickly averted her gaze, looking a little guilty.

"I was in such a hurry, I grabbed the wrong phone. I didn't want you to wait, so I just used Michael's," she said, sounding a bit flustered.

And then she scooted closer and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"Mia, you're not getting jealous, are you?" she teased.

"Oh please, I only know how to unlock his phone because his password's always your anniversary. I've been third-wheeling your celebrations for years, how could I not know that?" she added with a laugh.

I stayed silent.

Okay, maybe she could explain away knowing his phone password.

But what about his payment PIN? How did she know that?

I mean, even I didn't know Michael's payment code.

I held the cup of milk and took a small sip.

The warm liquid slid down into my stomach.

She used to say I was her best friend.

She always claimed I meant as much to her as her own family.

She swore she'd never do anything to betray me.

Even with my head down, I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.

She shot Michael a look.

Michael reached over and took my hand.

"Baby, are you tired? Let's get you home so you can rest." he said.

The car started up again, but the lively vibe from before was gone.

Lily didn't bother putting on any music this time.

The only sound in the car was the GPS voice coming from Michael's phone.

I was the one who set up the customized GPS voice for Michael.

It was that super cute anime girl voice.

As we got close to the fork, that playful girl's voice piped up.

"There's a fork up ahead! Don't pick the wrong way. Your wife's waiting for you, hurry home!"

The day I set up that voice was right after we got married. I gave Michael a playful pinch on the waist and joked around.

"You better use this, so everyone who rides in your car knows you're taken." I teased.

He laughed and pleaded for mercy.

"Please, honey, spare me." he begged.

It was like all those sweet moments were happening right in front of me again.

My eyes grew misty with tears.

Suddenly, Lily reached over and picked up Michael's phone.

She fiddled with the screen for a moment.

Then she set it back down where it was.

The next time the GPS spoke, the cute anime voice was gone, replaced by a cold, businesslike tone.

Michael frowned and shot her a glare.

Lily completely ignored his glare, and she spoke with her tone light and breezy.

"That GPS is way too loud. Mia needs some peace and quiet to rest."

I pulled a silent, bitter smile.

I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes.

I shoved the cup of milk aside.

I leaned back in my seat, eyes closed, pretending to nap.

But my mind was flooded with all those little moments we'd shared.

All the details I used to ignore, all the moments I never even noticed.

Now, they were all rushing back at once.

*****

As soon as we got home, Michael set the suitcase against the wall.

I bent down to grab my slippers.

Lily had already flopped onto the couch, with her legs dangling over the armrest, swinging back and forth like she was the real dweller here.

"Mia, I already edited the photos in the car. Pick a few to post on Instagram."

She passed me her phone, and the screen was already on the photo album.

I swiped through the photos with my thumb.

The first few were just scenery, but when I kept swiping, I saw a group shot of us in the old town.

Lily was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes crinkling with joy.

I kept scrolling.

Next up was a selfie of Lily.

She was tilting her head, her phone covering half her face.

Behind her was a plushie in a suit.

It was the one Michael brought back from his business trip last month.

I always kept it in the game room, right there with the rest of my collectibles.

I zoomed in on the photo.

The plushie was in exactly the same spot and position as it is now.

Even though the background was barely visible, I knew it for sure.

But I was absolutely sure.

That plushie was definitely the one from my house.

But for the past two months, I'd been working overtime nonstop and hadn't had her over even once.

Chapter 3

Lily paused, almost caught off guard, instinctively glancing at Michael, then quickly averted her gaze, looking a little guilty.

"I was in such a hurry, I grabbed the wrong phone. I didn't want you to wait, so I just used Michael's," she said, sounding a bit flustered.

And then she scooted closer and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"Mia, you're not getting jealous, are you?" she teased.

I stayed silent.

Okay, maybe she could explain away knowing his phone password.

But what about his payment PIN? How did she know that?

I mean, even I didn't know Michael's payment code.

I held the cup of milk and took a small sip.

The warm liquid slid down into my stomach.

She used to say I was her best friend.

She always claimed I meant as much to her as her own family.

She swore she'd never do anything to betray me.

Even with my head down, I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.

She shot Michael a look.

Michael reached over and took my hand.

"Baby, are you tired? Let's get you home so you can rest." he said.

The car started up again, but the lively vibe from before was gone.

Lily didn't bother putting on any music this time.

The only sound in the car was the GPS voice coming from Michael's phone.

I was the one who set up the customized GPS voice for Michael.

It was that super cute anime girl voice.

As we got close to the fork, that playful girl's voice piped up.

"There's a fork up ahead! Don't pick the wrong way. Your wife's waiting for you, hurry home!"

The day I set up that voice was right after we got married. I gave Michael a playful pinch on the waist and joked around.

"You better use this, so everyone who rides in your car knows you're taken." I teased.

He laughed and pleaded for mercy.

"Please, honey, spare me." he begged.

It was like all those sweet moments were happening right in front of me again.

My eyes grew misty with tears.

Suddenly, Lily reached over and picked up Michael's phone.

She fiddled with the screen for a moment.

Then she set it back down where it was.

The next time the GPS spoke, the cute anime voice was gone, replaced by a cold, businesslike tone.

Michael frowned and shot her a glare.

Lily completely ignored his glare, and she spoke with her tone light and breezy.

"That GPS is way too loud. Mia needs some peace and quiet to rest."

I pulled a silent, bitter smile.

I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes.

I shoved the cup of milk aside.

I leaned back in my seat, eyes closed, pretending to nap.

But my mind was flooded with all those little moments we'd shared.

All the details I used to ignore, all the moments I never even noticed.

Now, they were all rushing back at once.

*****

As soon as we got home, Michael set the suitcase against the wall.

I bent down to grab my slippers.

Lily had already flopped onto the couch, with her legs dangling over the armrest, swinging back and forth like she was the real dweller here.

"Mia, I already edited the photos in the car. Pick a few to post on Instagram."

She passed me her phone, and the screen was already on the photo album.

I swiped through the photos with my thumb.

The first few were just scenery, but when I kept swiping, I saw a group shot of us in the old town.

Lily was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes crinkling with joy.

I kept scrolling.

Next up was a selfie of Lily.

She was tilting her head, her phone covering half her face.

Behind her was a plushie in a suit.

It was the one Michael brought back from his business trip last month.

I always kept it in the game room, right there with the rest of my collectibles.

I zoomed in on the photo.

The plushie was in exactly the same spot and position as it is now.

Even though the background was barely visible, I knew it for sure.

But I was absolutely sure.

That plushie was definitely the one from my house.

But for the past two months, I'd been working overtime nonstop and hadn't had her over even once.