08 | The Receipt

Sarah’s POV

It came through the phone, low and steady. It wasn't the voice he used when pretending to be a loving husband, it was sharp.

The moment I heard his voice, a wave of disgust ran through me. I already knew why he was calling. It had to be because of his phone.

I pressed the phone tighter against my ear and forced myself to breathe.

“Sean?” I said.

“Yes. It’s me Sarah.”

There was a small pause on the line, the kind that always made my stomach twist. Sean rarely paused, unless he was thinking carefully about what to say next.

“I can’t seem to find my phone,” he said finally.

My eyes moved slowly across the kitchen, from the small table to the sink and the cabinets, until they finally stopped on my coat hanging on the chair, where his phone was tucked deep inside the pocket.

“I’ve checked everywhere,” Sean continued. “My jacket, my bag… even the taxi seat. Can't find it.”

I swallowed.

“You can’t find it?” I asked quietly.

“No.” His voice sharpened a little.

“I’m starting to think I left it at home.”

“Oh…”

The words made my mind race, I pressed my lips together, holding back the words that wanted to spill out. Sean didn’t deserve to be given this phone yet… not yet. I needed more proof, more evidence, and I think his phone would maybe be of help.

“I need you to check for me,” he said. “Look around the house. It should be somewhere there.”

I walked slowly to the chair. My fingers slid into the pocket of my coat. The cold phone pressed against my hand, It was right there.

“Okay,” I said slowly.

“Where are you right now?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“At the station,” he replied. “I just realized when I tried to make a call. I have important things on that phone, Sarah. Contacts. Messages. Work details. I can’t do anything without it.”

Liar! my mind screamed.

I pictured him laughing with Valerie, the sunlight streaming through the big windows of some cozy beach room, the waves crashing outside. Her hair was perfect, her smile wide, and he was there with her, touching her, talking to her, pretending the world was theirs. And now, as if nothing had happened, he slid away to call me.

I walked slowly around the kitchen as if I were searching.

“I’ll look,” I said.

“Please do. Quickly.”

I moved toward the living room.

“I’m checking the couch now,” I said, lifting one of the thin cushions.

“I’m checking the table.”

“Did you find it?” Sean asked.

“Not yet.”

He let out a long breath.

“This is bad,” he muttered. “I need that phone badly.”

I walked toward the bedroom, my steps slow.

“I’ll check in the bedroom,” I said, my voice low. I sank onto the edge of the bed, feeling the stillness of the room around me.

“Nothing here either,” I said after a moment.

There was silence, then Sean spoke again, slower this time.

“If it’s not there… maybe it’s in my suitcase. I might have packed it by mistake.”

“Maybe,” I replied sharply.

“Yes… If you see it anywhere at home, call me immediately,” he said. “And please, don’t touch anything on it. Okay?”

I pulled the phone from her ear and stared at the screen for a short moment. “Okay,” I muttered, my voice quiet, almost like an afterthought, feeling the weight of his words settle over me.

“This trip might not go as planned,” he continued. “Without my phone, I can’t confirm anything. I might come back tomorrow to deal with it.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

I paused. “Alright,” I said quietly.

“Just keep looking.”

“I will.”

Another pause, then the call ended. The silence in the house felt loud as I slowly lowered the phone and stared at the wall for a few seconds.

Then I pulled Sean’s phone from my pocket, the black screen looking calm and innocent. But I knew what was inside it.

Valerie’s messages. His secrets. His lies.

I couldn’t leave it in my coat pocket.

Sean might come home earlier than he said or he might even find it on me.

I walked to the closet and opened the door quietly. Inside, old winter coats hung beside dusty boxes that hadn’t been touched in years.

At the very back was a small plastic storage bin filled with old shoes.

I pushed the shoes aside and wrapped the phone inside an old scarf. Then I buried it under the pile and closed the lid.

No one would find it there, not even Sean.

I shut the closet door and leaned against it, breathing slowly.

“He’s coming back,” I whispered to myself.

The thought made my stomach twist again. But right now I had something more important to do.

I needed to bring the kids home.

I grabbed my coat and stepped outside.

The afternoon sun had softened a little, and the warm air carried the smell of someone cooking dinner nearby.

Mrs. Asher’s door was just a few steps down the hallway. I knocked gently, and after a moment, the door opened.

“Oh, Sarah,” Mrs. Asher said with a warm smile. “Come in.”

I stepped inside and saw Ethan and Lily, sitting on the living room floor with a pile of colorful building blocks.

“Mom!” Lily shouted the moment she saw me. She jumped up and ran straight into my arms.

I lifted her easily and kissed the top of her head, while Ethan stood up a second later, smiling shyly.

“Did your emergency get fixed?” Mrs. Asher asked, smiling at Lily and I.

“Yes,” I said. “Everything is fine now.”

Mrs. Asher watched us with kind eyes.

“They were very good,” she said. “Ethan helped Lily build a whole tower.”

“Thank you so much,” I said sincerely. “I really appreciate it.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” she replied with a soft laugh. “They’re sweet children.”

Ethan picked up his small backpack.

“Are we going home now?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said.

We said goodbye and stepped back into the hallway. When we reached our apartment, Ethan ran ahead and opened the door.

“Mom,” Ethan said suddenly. “Are we having dinner soon?”

I smiled a little.

“I have something special for you.”

His eyes brightened.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see.”

I walked into the kitchen, opened one of the grocery bags I hid, and pulled the chocolate cereal box out and set it on the counter.

Ethan gasped like he had just seen a treasure chest.

“Chocolate cereal?!” he shouted.

Lily clapped her hands. I laughed softly.

“Yes. But only a small bowl.”

Ethan nodded quickly.

“I promise!”

I grabbed three bowls and poured the cereal carefully, and the sweet chocolate smell filled the kitchen. Then I opened the milk and poured it over, watching the chocolate pieces float and swirl. Ethan sat at the table, staring at his bowl like it was the best thing in the world.

“Thank you, Mom,” they said softly.

“You’re welcome.”

I paused for a moment, watching them eat, and a sharp feeling of guilt hit me. I was supposed to be a successful woman, a CEO providing the best for my children, giving Ethan and Lily everything they deserved. But instead, here we were, hiding behind small joys while Sean wasted our lives and betrayed us.

“I’m coming for you Sean… you betrayer,” I cursed under my breath, my voice barely audible.

I sat across from them, watching quietly as they ate happily, spoons clinking softly against their bowls. Lily giggled as chocolate milk dripped from her spoon, while Ethan hummed contentedly while eating.

I ate slowly, trying to memorize this moment and ignore the heavy feeling in my stomach. Tomorrow, Sean would come home, and I was sure, the air wouldn't feel the same.

I’d spent roughly seven years of my life loving a snake.

I was mourning what I thought was love. I really loved him, but now even that love felt uncertain… everything had gone cold.

After dinner, I washed the bowls and put the kids to bed, making sure they were warm under their blankets.

I walked to the bedroom slowly. For a moment, I thought about checking Sean’s phone again, but I stopped myself. No. It was safer hidden. Safer left alone.

The next day at noon, I stood in the kitchen washing off a few plates, when I heard heavy footsteps outside the apartment. My hands froze as the sound stopped right by the door. The handle turned, the door creaked open, and Sean stepped inside.

His eyes looked around the room and then stopped on me. “Hi, Sarah,” he said, walking closer into the kitchen.

I gave a small, weak smile. “Hi.”

Sean’s eyebrows went up a little. He blinked and stared at me for a moment, like he didn’t expect me to just say hi. Then he quickly tried to look calm again.

Usually, I would run to him, hug him, kiss him, and ask about his trip. I would laugh, tease him, make the apartment feel warm and alive when he came home.

“Did you find my phone?” he asked, his gaze lingering on mine.

I shook my head slowly, keeping my voice calm. “No, I didn’t see it anywhere.” My fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.

The sound of little feet running down the hallway broke the tension. Ethan and Lily ran into the kitchen, excited. Lily held something blue in her hand.

“Daddy!” she shouted, holding up her hand like she wanted him to pick her up, the blue paper shining in her small palm.

I looked closely and realized it was the receipt the teller had given me at the bank yesterday… my name, the amount, everything was on it.

“How…?” I murmured. I thought I had carefully tucked it into my coat.

I quickly reached for it, but in my hurry, I accidentally tugged on Lily’s hand. She cried out, startled and hurt.

Sean’s eyes went wide. He stepped forward, carried Lily into his arms, and stared at the blue paper clutched in my hand.