One

“Suite 1204. He’s been there for an hour.”

The text from the unknown number glowed on my screen. Below it was a grainy photo from a hotel lobby. Jace’s back, in his favorite suit with a blonde woman’s hand in his.

I looked away from the picture and took a deep breath before dialing his number.

He picked on the third ring.

“Where are you? The planner is asking about the wine for tonight. Your guests will be here any minute.” I tried not to sound as hoping and confused my heart was.

It's our wedding eve, and I've been with Jace for years now to know he'd never betray me, even if not for my sake then for Lily's.

There was shuffling on his end before he replied in a low, almost whispering tone. “I'm in a meeting, babe. Being on my phone is the one thing I shouldn't be doing. Tell her the Chateau Blanc. See you at seven.”

At first I didn't think deeply about it when he said he had a meeting with some investors. Whoever goes out for a meeting the night before his wedding. But I hadn't thought deeply about it. 

But now, looking at the photo again. 

The Marquette Hotel was four blocks from his office and thirty minutes away from here. There was no harm in going to check up on him, besides, I've done so many times and he liked that, mainly because Jace was someone who liked to show off any little achievement, including finally marrying me.

I dropped my daughter Lily off at my friend Chloe’s apartment with a box of snacks and her toys just in case I overstayed at the office which I believe was where he was. “Mommy has to go see Daddy about something for the wedding,” I said, forcing a smile. “Be a good girl for Aunty Chloe okay?”

I looked up at Chloe with a knowing look. She was curious, I know, but until I confirm my suspicions, I had to put myself together and keep my lips right. Jace made a promise to me when I got pregnant with Lily and I just hope, so badly that he wasn't breaking it.

“Is Daddy getting the big cake?”

“The biggest,” I whispered.

“You go now, I'll take care of her.” Chloe waved me off with a small smile and carried Lily in, asking her how movie night sounds in a baby voice.

I shut the door and walked down the road, hailing a cab.

We arrived at Marquette Hotel eighteen minutes later, thanks to the clear road and the experienced driver who knew his routes well.

I took the elevator to the twelfth floor and walked out facing suite 1204 just at the end of the hallway opposite me.

My grip on my back strap tightened as I took a step forward.

I could be wrong, I could be overthinking.

This was my husband to be and doubting his loyalty was like spitting on our relationship. We've been together for years, and he's had so many times to be with another woman especially during our short breakup but he didn't, so why would he now?

Literally, this could probably be a hater or a kid trolling me, or someone Jace's stepbrother I've only ever heard paid to try to stop the wedding.

I stopped at the front of the suite, but just before I could knock, the wind carried a woman's laughter out the door. Marquette wasn't that top tier of a hotel, one could imagine how their soundproof system sucks.

I lifted my hand to knock again when I heard his voice.

“—so fucking perfect,” he was saying, his voice muffled but a bit clear. “You should see her with the kid. Total domestic goddess. It’s exactly the image we need.”

“And she really has no clue?” The woman's voice came again, purring.

“Why would she? She's been busy with the wedding, hopefully that goes well tomorrow. Once my stepbrother sees the whole perfect family man package tomorrow, my position is locked. After that…well, marriages fail, it's never perfect. Hopefully she won't make a big deal out of it.”

Soft sounds of kisses and moans followed after.

I stared at my shaky hands for a moment before turning the knob, fortunately the door was unlocked. I pushed it open, stepping into a sight that shattered whatever doubt was left and made bile rise to my throat.

They were on the plush cream sofa, a champagne bottle sweating on the coffee table between them. She was in his lap, her red dress hiked up her ass and his suit jacket was tossed over a chair. At the corner of his mouth was a lipstick smear.

The door shutting announced my arrival.

Jace’s face went from startled to confused, then settled into a cold, irritated look upon seeing me.

The knot in my heart and lungs twisted tighter leaving me breathless for a moment.

“Eva.” He didn’t push her off. “This isn’t what you think.”

The blonde slid off his lap with a slow, annoying grace. She smoothed her dress, a faint, smug smile touching her lips as she looked me up and down.

“It looks,” I began but stopped, taking a deep breath to calm my body. I couldn't stop shaking.

Was it anger? Fear? Pain? 

“It's looks like you’ve been fucking her, and! and our life is a brochure for your promotion, a means to taunt your brother. For years!!” I couldn't stop the tears from spilling any more. “It—it's the night before our wedding, Jace. Why? Why would you do this to me.”

He stood up, buttoning his shirt. “You need to calm down. Selene is a business associate and we were celebrating the club deal, don't make a big deal out of this.”

A big—

“With her tongue down your throat?!” I tried not to laugh at the absurdity, at the lack of remorse. “We're fucking getting married!!!”

For a second, he looked almost uncomfortable, but then his jaw tightened. “We are. This… is the cost of the life I’m giving you, don't you get it? You think keeping this business afloat just works like that? So yes, we're still going to get married, Eva. This is just paperwork.”

“Hear yourself speak!!! Hear how stupid and inconsiderate you sound.”

“Can you not be crazy for a second?”

I walked forward and swung my hand out onto his cheek before I could think. His head snapped to the side as a red mark bloomed on his cheek.

“You don't call me crazy? I'm not a child Jace, so I know a cheating asshole when I see one.”

He touched his face, his eyes wide with shock. But before he could speak, I turned to his mistress. She took a step back in fright, her smug smile faltering as she waited for her own hit but I grabbed the half-full champagne bottle from the table instead and upended it over her perfectly styled blonde head.

She shrieked, champagne dripping down her face and dress, I only dropped the bottle when there was nothing in it anymore. It landed on the carpet with a thud. 

“Fuck the both of you.”