Chapter 2: His Perfect Excuse

 I watched Adrian disappear into the bedroom, my mind still caught on the strange perfume clinging to his collar.

Where had it come from?

Should I ask him about it?

I took a step toward the bedroom, then stopped. Adrian had said he was tired. Perhaps I was making a big deal out of nothing. There had to be a reasonable explanation, and I didn't want him thinking I was the kind of wife who questioned his every move.

I'll ask him tomorrow.

The thought settled my nerves a little, but the suspicion refused to disappear completely.

I followed him into the bedroom. A few minutes later, Adrian came out of the bathroom, his skin damp from his shower. I had already settled into bed with my eyes closed when I heard him call my name.

"Baby, are you asleep?"

"No."

I opened my eyes and sat up straight, wondering what he wanted.

"Is there something you want to talk to me about?" I asked.

"Nothing much, really." He walked closer to the bed. "I just wanted to ask if you could put in a good word for me with Mr Kingsley. I need him to accept our company's proposal. We can't afford to lose such a great deal."

Of course.

The company.

I lowered my eyes to my hands.

Adrian never seemed to run out of things to worry about when it came to his business. Yet, when his mother shoved herbs into my hands and insisted they would help me conceive, he would stand there silently, watching me swallow them without saying a word.

He never stopped her.

He never defended me.

But let a business deal be at risk, and suddenly, he needed my help.

Still, I pushed the hurt aside. Perhaps I was being unfair. Adrian had responsibilities, and I was his wife. If I could help him, I would.

"Fine. I'll talk to Mr Kingsley."

"Really?"

He sounded relieved.

"Thank you so much, my love."

Adrian moved closer and leaned in to kiss me.

For a moment, I was ready to forget everything. Then the strange perfume flashed through my mind, followed by the woman's voice on his phone.

Babe, it's your turn. I'm done showering.

My stomach tightened.

I turned my face away and gently pushed him back.

"I'm really tired, Adrian. Can we sleep?"

He paused.

"Is everything all right, baby?"

"Yes. I'm just sleepy. Besides, didn't we agree to stick to our schedule?"

I tried to smile as I spoke, hoping he wouldn't notice how uncomfortable I felt.

Adrian and I had a schedule for intimacy. Four times a month. Even that didn't always happen.

Sometimes, I lay awake beside him, wondering how a husband could sleep so peacefully next to his wife without seeming to miss her at all.

Did he love me the way I loved him?

Or was I the only one holding on to something that had already begun to fade?

"All right, baby. Get some sleep."

He settled beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist.

I closed my eyes, but the heaviness in my heart refused to let me rest.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

*****

A sound in the middle of the night pulled me out of my sleep.

At first, I couldn't tell what had woken me. Then I realized Adrian's arm was no longer resting around my waist.

I lay still, barely breathing, as his low voice reached my ears.

"Don't call me this late again. My wife is right beside me. We'll see at the office tomorrow."

My eyes flew open.

For a moment, I couldn't move.

Who was he talking to?

I turned my head slightly. Adrian was holding his phone close to his ear, his voice barely above a whisper.

My heart began to pound.

Was he cheating on me?

The thought came so suddenly that I immediately shook my head.

No. That was impossible.

Perhaps one of his colleagues was working late and needed to ask him something. It wasn't unusual for people at the office to contact their boss after working hours.

But if that was all it was, why was he whispering?

And why did he need to remind the person that his wife was beside him?

My confusion must have shown on my face because I shifted beneath the covers, unable to pretend I was asleep any longer.

Adrian turned toward me.

"Baby, did I wake you?" he asked, his expression surprisingly calm. "How long have you been awake?"

I stared at him, searching his face for something I couldn't quite name.

"Just now," I murmured.

He let out a tired sigh.

"Honestly, this new girl at the office won't let me rest. She's still new to everything, and she keeps calling me even at this hour."

He shook his head before putting his phone aside.

"I'm sorry, baby. Let's go back to sleep."

Before I could ask anything else, he pulled me closer, his arm settling around my waist again.

I rested my head against his chest.

Perhaps I had misunderstood.

Adrian wasn't that kind of man. He wouldn't betray me after everything we'd shared.

Would he?

I swallowed the thought before it could grow into something uglier.

I'm just overthinking things.

I closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax in his arms.

Adrian loves me. Everything is fine.

And with that comforting thought, I drifted back to sleep.

*****

Morning

"Thank you, Mr Kingsley. I really appreciate your time."

I ended the call and lowered my phone, letting out a quiet breath of relief.

The conversation had gone better than I'd expected.

Mr Kingsley had agreed to sign the contract that day.

"Mira!"

Adrian's excited voice pulled my attention away from my phone.

"How did it go?"

He hurried toward me, his face lighting up with anticipation.

"Mr Kingsley said the proposal was good, and he'll come to sign the contract today."

I kept my expression steady.

Mr Kingsley had been polite, but I knew the truth. He didn't think the proposal was particularly impressive. He had only agreed to give Adrian's company the opportunity because of my request.

I hadn't wanted to disappoint my husband, so I'd done everything I could to persuade him.

"That's wonderful!" Adrian exclaimed. "Mira, I knew I could trust you."

He grinned, looking more pleased than I'd seen him in days.

"Now, which tie do you think will look good on me? Today is going to be a very happy day!"

I couldn't help smiling a little at his excitement.

I walked to his wardrobe, picked out his royal blue tie, and returned to help him put it on.

As I adjusted the knot, yesterday's uneasiness crept back into my mind.

There was something I needed to ask him.

"Adrian, you had a strange perfume on you yesterday—"