Chapter 0003: Threads of Deception

I left my office in a daze, the weight of the day's suspicions pressing heavily on my mind. I drove to my son's school, my thoughts tangled in a web of anxiety and uncertainty. The late afternoon sun cast a long shadow across the parking lot as I parked and made my way to the front entrance.

Standing there, I tried to shake off the thoughts of my husband and the nagging doubt that had followed me all day. I needed to be present for my son, to focus on him, and leave my worries behind, at least for a little while.

Other parents were milling about, chatting with their children, and checking their phones. I managed a few polite nods to the children saying hi to me, but my mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the morning. The lipstick on his jacket and the hairline on the scarf discovery chipped away at the trust I once had in my marriage.

I scanned the crowd until I spotted my son, his backpack bouncing as he ran towards me. His face lit up with a smile that momentarily pushed all my worries aside.

"Mom!" My son ran toward me, his backpack bouncing as he grinned up at me.

I hug him, feeling a rush of warmth as his small arms wrap around my neck. "Hey, sweetheart. How was school today?"

"It was great! Mom, I heard this year for camp instead of sleeping indoors, we'll be sleeping in tents. Can Dad really make it this time? It's all set, right?"

"Yes, of course. He told me he'll make sure he's free that day," I said, pressing the car key to unlock the doors. I smiled genuinely this time.

"He'll be going this year no matter what. So don't worry,” I reassured him, unlocking the car.

But my son’s face fell slightly. "He said the same thing last year but suddenly canceled at the last minute. What if that happens again? Gosh, I can't trust him."

I was about to enter until I heard a cheerful voice call out my name, snapping me out of my reverie. "Ms. Emma," I turned my face toward the direction I heard it from.

She smiled warmly. "Have you been well?"

"Hello," her daughter said respectfully.

As she drew closer, my eyes were drawn to her hair. It was long and blonde, just like the stand I had found.

My heart skipped a beat, a mix of anxiety and curiosity bubbling up.

"Don't you recognize me? It's me, Elena. I used to be your husband's assistant director."

A chill ran down my spine. "Oh, right. I remember," I said, my voice steady, though my thoughts were anything but. *Could this be her?*

"I’ve been working as his secretary for over a year now," she added casually, confirming my worst fear.

Her words hit me like a freight train. The fact Noah didn't tell me this was a hit on my face. “His secretary?”

“It was hard to continue working in the movie industry as a single mother. I got a divorce, you see,” she said, looking down while avoiding my gaze.

“Director Noah found out and let me work as his secretary. And you have no idea how grateful I am. We get off work at 5 pm.” I raised my gaze as I heard that. “So I even have time to pick up my kid.”

“Did you say 5 pm?” I struggled to keep my composure.

She nodded. “He always leaves work at 5 p.m..”

A chill ran down my spine. Her words confirmed my worst fears. The hair on the scarf, the lipstick, the late nights, and now this. It all pointed to something I had been trying desperately to deny. I forced a smile, thanking her for the information, and quickly walked back to the car.

“Come on, William,” I said to my son, my voice trembling slightly. “We need to get home.”

He looked up, sensing my urgency. “Okay Mom.”