Chapter 3 : The Big Reveal

“ Evelyn?”

Sebastian called my name once more.

The sound sent shivers through me, and I gripped the doorframe tighter while struggling to breathe. I needed to behave normally. He had no way of knowing that I had been standing there, eavesdropping.

Stepping forward as if I had just arrived, I angled my head, pretending to be puzzled. "Yes?" I heard you called my name. Did you fall? “Are you in need of anything?”

His expression remained unreadable, but a flicker appeared in his eyes, caution? Guilt? It disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a practiced calmness. “No, I’m fine. I just needed something from you.” His eyes scanned the room before settling back on me. “Where are the maids?”

“I sent them off,” I answered calmly, my heart pounding.

His brows furrowed slightly. “Why is that?”

I paused for just a moment . "Nothing," I replied, but the subtle shake in my voice gave me away.

He examined me with his piercing eyes, as if stripping away my layers, attempting to uncover what was hidden underneath. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight.”

Without anticipating an answer, I turned and walked off, maintaining my speed even though my legs felt as if they would give way under me.

The moment I stepped into the bedroom and shut the door, I released the breath I had been holding, my chest heaving with the burden of feelings I struggled to identify. My hands shook as I rested them on my abdomen, as if that gentle contact could calm the turmoil raging within me. But it did not. No one could.

I wasn't okay.

I got into bed, drawing the blankets over myself as though they could protect me from the thoughts nagging at my head. I gazed at the ceiling, urging myself to release, to descend into the void of slumber. Yet it wouldn’t arrive. It never happened on evenings such as this.

The words I had caught echoed repeatedly, with each phrase piercing deeper than the one before. A harsh tune of realities, or perhaps falsehoods, that I couldn’t ignore. My chest constricted, my heart racing with each word that resonated in my thoughts.

And the most terrible aspect? Regardless of how hard I attempted to distance myself from them, they would not go away.

I miss you. I hate being apart from you like this. Just a little longer, baby.

A woman. Another woman.

Who was she? How long had this been going on?

I clenched my jaw, a war raging between my heart and my head. I wanted to confront him, demand answers, but a small voice whispered… What if you’re wrong? What if you misunderstood?

But deep down, I knew the truth.

Buzz… buzz…

My phone vibrated, yanking me from my dream. I groggily reached for it, my fingers barely gripping the device.

The sheets beside me were cold.

Sebastian had left before dawn. Again.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. He hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye.

Then my phone buzzed again.

Vanessa.

I hesitated before answering. “Hey.”

“Hey, babe! You sound off. What’s wrong?”

I hesitated. Vanessa was my best friend, the person I confided in the most. But suddenly, an uneasy feeling curled in my stomach.

“I overheard something last night… Sebastian was talking on the phone to someone.” A woman

There was a pause. Too long.

“Eve, don’t jump to conclusions. You know how things can be taken out of context.”

I clenched the phone tighter. "He expressed to her that he longed for her." That he despised the time spent away from her.

Another silence. Then Vanessa exhaled deeply. “Listen, I understand you have a lot on your plate at the moment.” Perhaps take your time with things. Concentrate on your own well-being. And that of your baby.

I became rigid. “Are you saying I shouldn’t inform him?”

“Not until you’re sure,” she said quickly, almost too quickly. “Just… take things slow, okay?”

The call ended, but her words lingered in my mind.

Vanessa was always the first to encourage me to fight for my marriage. She had endured the disputes, the cold nights, and the periods of silence.

Why was she now being so cautious with her words all of a sudden?

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten. I pushed the thoughts aside and climbed out of bed, ready to go downstairs and see what the maids had prepared.

As I reached for my phone on the nightstand, my eyes landed on something else.

Sebastian’s inhaler.

I frowned. He never left home without it.

My heart skipped a beat. Something felt… wrong.

I grabbed my phone and sent him a quick text. You forgot your inhaler.

No response.

I called. Straight to voicemail.

A cold feeling settled in my gut.

This wasn’t the first time he had forgotten it, but it was the first time he wasn’t answering.

I hesitated, then grabbed my car keys. If he wouldn’t pick up, I’d just drop it off at his office myself.

When I arrived, the receptionist greeted me with a hesitant smile. “Mrs. Rodgers… Mr. Rodgers is in a meeting.”

I scowled. "With who?"

She paused, looking at the shut office door.

A soft laugh echoed from inside.

A familiar laugh.

My stomach churned.

Vanessa.

A sense of relief appeared for just a moment. Perhaps she came to speak with him on my behalf, to assist in resolving issues.

But. then..

“I dislike sneaking around,” Vanessa’s voice purred. “When are you going to end it with her?”

The world tilted beneath me.

Sebastian’s deep chuckle followed. “Soon. Just let me handle it.”

The ground could have easily split open beneath me.

I remained motionless, my breath trapped in my throat.

My fingers wrapped around the doorknob, trembling.

I shouldn’t do this. I should walk away.

But something within me broke.

I opened the door.

And there they were.

Vanessa. On his lap. Her arms draped around his shoulders, her lips dangerously close to his.

Vanessa. On his lap. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her lips perilously near his.

Everything within me broke apart.

For an instant, none of us moved.

Then Vanessa’s eyes widened.

Sebastian didn’t push her away. Didn’t even look guilty.

My voice barely came out.

“Vanessa?”