Chapter Four Undeniable Evidence

“Don't worry…,” I replied, rushing upstairs to our bedroom.

Ronan followed me. He shut the door behind him and sat at the edge of the bed.

“Lydia, look at me.”

I lifted my eyes to Ronan, his expression unusually serious.

“I've been trying to understand what is going on in your head,” he said. “You haven't said much since I came back.”

“I’m fine. I just feel a bit off lately.” I avoided his gaze.

“You're not fine. Baby, you can talk to me.”

He reached for my hand and gently pulled it into his.

“You've been thinking about that livestream.”

My fingers tightened around his. “And Vivian's message,” I said.

“And your friend claimed she saw me. I understand how you feel.”

I looked at him again. “You do?”

“Yes, I do. I live with you, Lydia. I notice when something is bothering you.”

His thumb moved slowly over my knuckles. “You think I'm hiding something from you.”

I didn't answer. His silence told me he already knew.

“Do you really think I would cheat on you?” He liked me with a warm expression.

The question caught me off guard. “I don't know.”

“You do know.” He leaned closer. “Think about everything we've been through together.”

And for a brief moment, I thought of everything. The first office, the borrowed furniture, the endless nights, the clients who refused to take us seriously.

The money we barely had and the house I had mortgaged because we needed capital. Evelyn's birth and the whole process.

“You were there when I had nothing,” Ronan continued. “You believed in me when nobody else did. You think I'd forget that?”

“No. I know you won't forget. I was simply overthinking.”

“Then why are you looking at me like I'm a stranger?”

I swallowed. “I just don't understand some things.”

“And that's why you should ask me instead of hurting yourself with assumptions.” He lifted my hand to his lips. “I love you, Lydia.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, eyes warm and a bit teary.

“Then trust me. I won't hurt you, I love our family and you mean a lot to me.”

I nodded. And for the first time in days, the tightness in my chest began to loosen.

Ronan pulled me against him. I rested my cheek against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I believed him completely.

By evening, I was almost embarrassed by how suspicious I had been.

Ronan had gone downstairs to take a phone call when I noticed his jacket hanging over the back of the chair.

I picked it up. I was only going to move it to the wardrobe.

My fingers slipped into the inside pocket.

Something was there so I pulled it out.

A small red packet lay in my palm. I stared at it, a condom.

I held my breath, my eyes darting frantically. I turned it over, then back again.

It was unopened. My mind immediately searched for an explanation. It could have been there for months.

Or someone had put it there. Maybe, I stopped. Ronan and I didn't use condoms, not anymore.

We had been married for eight years. We had Evelyn. We had our own form of contraception, and neither of us had any reason to carry condoms around.

So why was this in his jacket? I sat down slowly. My heart began beating harder.

The woman on the livestream came back to me. Then Vivian and the message, then Amelia.

Ronan standing in front of me less than an hour ago, asking me to trust him. I looked at the packet again.

Then back at his jacket. I heard footsteps in the hallway. I quickly closed my hand around the packet.

Ronan appeared at the door. “Have you seen my black jacket?”

I clenched my fist, trying to respond calmly. “Yes.” I pointed at the chair.

He walked over and picked it up. “Thank you.”

My heart stopped when his hand moved toward the pocket. “It's dirty,” I said.

He looked at me. “What… What did you say?””

“I was going to put it in the laundry.” I paused, trying to hide my trembling fingers.

He glanced at the jacket. Then at me.

“You're doing laundry now?”

I gave a small awkward laugh. “You've complained enough times about me washing your clothes without asking.”

He smiled. “That's true.” He dropped the jacket back onto the chair.

Then he walked over and kissed my forehead. “Thank you, Mrs. Ronan Brown.”

I smiled while he left the room. I waited until I heard his footsteps disappear downstairs before opening my hand.

The red packet was still there. I looked at it for a long time. I couldn't confront him, nor could I walk downstairs and ask him where it came from.

But then what? He would explain. He always had an explanation.

And if he was lying, confronting him would only give him time to prepare another one.

So I put the condom inside the drawer beside my bed. I didn't throw it away nor did I tell anyone.

I didn't ask Ronan a single question. That night, I behaved normally.

I laughed when Evelyn told us a funny story at dinner. I listened while Ronan talked about a difficult client.

I kissed him when he went to bed. I even told him I loved him.

I was prepared to know what he was doing when he thought I wasn't looking.

The next morning, Ronan left for work after breakfast. He kissed Evelyn on the forehead, then bent down and kissed me.

“See you tonight.” I said, bidding him farewell.

“Have a good day.” He smiled and walked out.

I watched his car move through the gate.

Then I went upstairs. Evelyn was sitting in the living room watching cartoons when I came back down, dressed in a yellow milkmaid’s dress.

I picked up my phone and called the nanny. “Can you come over for a few hours?”

She agreed and assured me that she was on her way.

When she arrived, Evelyn looked at me curiously. “Mummy?”

“Yes?” I stroked her hair in response. “Where are you going?”

I picked up my handbag from the sofa.

“To your daddy's office.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “You're going to Daddy's office?”

“Yes. My Princess. I will be back in a few minutes. Mrs. Lily is coming over to stay with you.”

“Why? I thought you did not like going there.” She raised her brows.

I paused. Then I looked at her. “ Well my princess. Things are about to change. I am going to see Daddy.”

“Oh! You seem angry Mummy. I hope Daddy is not in trouble.”

“He is my love. He is in big trouble.” I smiled warmly.