Chapter 3

Evelyn walked into the living room with her usual smile and went to get some water.

As she tipped the jug, she said casually, "Thanks for taking care of everything, honey. I love you. I've got a surprise planned for our anniversary next week. You have to be there this time, okay?"

I froze.

Our anniversary? A surprise?

I sneered inwardly. I couldn't believe she still had the nerve to bring that up. Still, I wanted to see what trick she was planning to pull.

…

For the next few days, I barely slept, my eyes glued to that group chat. Evelyn was far too active in the chat, popping up almost every two hours like clockwork.

Every time she came online, she posted a picture. They were graphic and provocative. The variety of locations was terrifying.

She posted photos of hotel sheets, mirror reflections, bathtub bubbles, outdoor benches, and the back seat of a car.

One image after another appeared on the screen.

Sometimes, she posted her legs. Sometimes, it was her back. Sometimes, nearly the entire lower half of her body was in the frame.

Although her face was obscured in every photo, I knew her too well. I could recognize her figure, her lines, and the mole on her lower back even with my eyes closed.

Below the posts, the comments from the group chat members were relentless and crude.

"Baby, can I meet you tonight?"

"I haven't been able to forget that sexy waist of yours for three days."

"Send a voice message. I want to hear your voice."

"Damn, you're perfect! This is exciting."

I stared at the screen, my teeth grinding together as my knuckles turned white.

Those animals treated her like a plaything, and she was enjoying it.

My blood boiled. I wanted nothing more than to rip that entire group out by the roots.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was like an actress who played her role to perfection. One moment she was lying next to me, calling me "honey", and the next she was on the screen, enticing other men.

She lived a double life, wild and unrestrained.

…

Three days later, I received the paternity test results.

My hands trembled as I flipped through the pages one by one. When I saw the conclusion printed on the final line, I slowly let out a long breath.

I didn't make a fuss. I only felt as if the boulder that had been pressing against my chest had finally been lifted.

Just as I was about to confront her, my phone suddenly rang.

It was Evelyn.

I tried my best to keep my voice calm as I answered the call, "Hello?"

A soft chuckle came from the other end. "Honey, I'm having dinner with my friends tonight, so I'll be home a little late."

I stared at the ceiling, unable to utter a word.

Evelyn's tone was light and completely devoid of guilt.

I forced myself to ask, "Why does your voice sound so strange?"

She paused for a moment, then laughed and brushed it off. "It's nothing. The office is cold, and the air-conditioning got to me."

I didn't respond.

She didn't press me either. After a few more perfunctory remarks, she hung up.

I stared at the disconnected call and sneered.

According to her phone location, she was clearly heading in the opposite direction from her office. She couldn't even be bothered to make the lie convincing.

She was certain I wouldn't check, certain I'd believe her, and certain I'd keep playing the role of a supportive fool.

And sure enough, I had believed her for all these years.

But things were different now.

I was the one who knew the truth. If I struck first, she had no one to blame but herself.

I dialed a number and said, "Michael, I need a favor."

…

On the day of our anniversary, Evelyn got up early. She did her makeup, styled her hair, tried on clothes, and even sprayed on perfume.

I sat on the edge of the bed and watched as she checked herself in the mirror, a single thought running through my mind.

She should just stop because her act wasn't the least bit convincing.

"How do I look?" she asked, glancing back at me with a wink. "I booked us a resort in the mountains. The view is beautiful, the food is good, and the atmosphere is perfect. You're going to love it."

I nodded with a fake smile and kept playing dumb.

We drove halfway up the mountain to a resort tucked deep in the woods.

The servers looked as if they had rehearsed everything in advance. They greeted us, led the way, and opened the private room with movements so smooth they seemed almost mechanical.

The table Evelyn had chosen was lavishly set with lobster, steak, red wine, and even roses arranged into the shape of a heart.

"To our anniversary," she said, raising her glass to me with a smile.

Smiling, I raised mine but didn't let the glasses touch.

Evelyn didn't seem to mind. She took a sip on her own and began pouring her heart out about how grateful she was.

"You really are the perfect husband. You hand over your entire paycheck, take care of all the chores, and you're so devoted to the kids. You know, all my friends say they're so jealous I married such a good man."

I listened without saying a word.

She kept smiling, piling food onto my plate with an over-the-top eagerness. Meanwhile, I just knocked back my wine, glass after glass, until the alcohol seared my throat.

She kept talking, almost as if she were performing for an audience.

"You've worked so hard these past few years, and I've always remembered that."

I continued to stay silent, and I hadn't even picked up my utensils.

Evelyn's smile slowly began to fade.

At last, her face darkened, and she slammed her palm against the table with a loud crack.

"I've been sitting here, forcing myself to compliment you, and you're just sitting there with that pathetic look on your face. Who the hell do you think you're looking at?"