Chapter 1
The bedroom was dim, with only a sliver of light sneaking through the curtains.
My husband, Daniel Conner's breath mingled with another woman's hair, their bodies tangled close beneath the sheets.
I came home early, quiet as a shadow.
The next morning, when Daniel came downstairs and saw the living room packed with relatives and the divorce papers on the coffee table, his first words were, "When did you get back?"
I pushed the pen toward him. "While you were sleeping soundly with her in your arms."
*****
Changing my flight was a last-minute decision.
My original flight was at four in the afternoon.
The client meeting wrapped up early, so I got to the airport by 12:30.
I texted Daniel. [I'm coming back to Creakville ahead of schedule. Should be home around three.]
He didn't reply.
That was nothing new.
When Daniel worked from home, he'd toss his phone in the study.
I pulled my suitcase through security and grabbed a hot latte.
The coffee was so hot that it made my tongue tingle, so I took a couple of sips and set it aside.
By the time the plane landed, there was still no reply from him.
I grabbed a cab at the exit.
The driver asked where I was headed.
I told him the name of my neighborhood and then added, "Can you stop by Copola Mall on the way?"
I picked up a sea bass.
Then I grabbed some scallions, ginger, shrimp, and a box of blueberries, my daughter's favorite.
Daniel loved fish.
After three days on the road, all I could think about was the warmth and comfort of home.
At 3:27, I stood at the front door.
I slid the key into the lock.
The door opened.
There was a pair of silver-gray stilettos in the entryway.
The shoes were shiny, with thin heels.
They weren't mine.
My grip on the bag loosened a bit.
The sea bass squirmed softly inside the bag.
I didn't call out for Daniel.
I didn't call our daughter, Anne, either.
The living room was dead silent.
There was a clear glass on the coffee table, with a half-circle of mauve lipstick on the rim.
There was a faint red wine stain at the bottom.
That glass was Daniel's, the one he never let anyone else use.
Upstairs, there was a soft sound, like someone turning over in bed.
I put the fish in the kitchen sink.
I set the scallions by the cutting board.
I turned the tap down low.
I let the water run over my fingertips, feeling the warmth slowly slip away.
I went upstairs.
The master bedroom door was left ajar.
The room was cloaked in darkness.
A narrow strip of light cut through the curtains, landing at the edge of the bed.
Daniel was lying on his side.
His bare shoulder peeked out, the thin blanket resting at his waist.
A woman was nestled in his arms.
Her back faced the door, her long hair spilled across the pillow, the ends catching a sliver of light.
Her shoulder was bare, peeking out from under the blanket.
Daniel's hand rested lightly on her waist.
They slept deeply.
Their breaths rose and fell together, perfectly matched.
That kind of intimacy spoke for itself. There was no need for any explanation.
I stood in the doorway.
The brass doorknob pressed cold into my palm.
I caught a glimpse of a faint red mark behind Daniel's ear.
I also noticed the woman's delicate fingertips lightly touching his wrist.
Her fingers were smooth, the tips painted a deep wine-red.
On the nightstand sat a woman's earring.
It was a small pearl.
I knew that design.
Last month, Daniel said he was heading out on a business trip to Seafreville.
When he got back, he brought me a silk scarf.
He told me he grabbed it at the mall without thinking much about it.
The color was so flashy, and I only wore it once.
That night, he grinned at me and said, "You look good in anything."
Looking back, that smile wasn't about affection.
It was a test.
I stepped back in silence.
I gently closed the door behind me.
Downstairs, the fish was still twitching in the sink.
I pulled it out and cleaned it, getting it ready.
The knife came down on the cutting board, once and again.
I chopped up the scallions and ginger, rubbed some salt on the fish, and put it on a plate.
After washing my hands, I dropped onto the living room couch.
First thing, I called my mom.
"Mom, can you swing by tomorrow morning? I need you to watch Anne for a few days," I said.
She asked, "Heading out for another business trip?"
"Yeah, something came up at the last minute," I replied.
"What about Daniel?" she asked.
"He's busy, too," I said.
My mom was quiet for a second.
"Alright, I'll come by tomorrow morning," she said.
After hanging up, I called Daniel's mother, Cecilia Conner.
"Cecilia, are you free tomorrow night? Come over for dinner," I said.
Cecilia said with a smile, "What's the occasion?"
"I'm back from my trip, and I want the whole family to get together," I replied.
"I'll bring Austin along," she said.
"Great, and invite Linda as well," I added.
"Alright, don't wear yourself out," Cecilia said.
Then I texted Daniel's brother, Edwin Conner. [Come over for dinner tomorrow night. There's something I need you to be here for.]
Edwin replied a few minutes later: [What's up?]
I texted back: [You'll know when you get here.]
He sent back: [Okay.]
Finally, I texted Daniel. [I'm home. Heading to the supermarket to pick up some groceries. What do you want for dinner?]
Ten minutes later, he replied: [Anything's fine.]
I stared at those words and let out a small, bitter laugh.
Upstairs, not a sound could be heard anymore.