One Access Card, One Big Secret

I bought the apartment—paid off in full—before Susanna Upton and I got married.I was busy with work and often traveled, so I specifically hired a housekeeper, Yvonne Larson, to run errands and handle the house chores.The smart lock that I had installed for the apartment came with access cards. I happened to have one spare access card left, so I gave it to Susanna and instructed her, "When Yvonne comes for the trial run as our housekeeper, give this card to her so it's easy for her to get in and out."She took the card and gave me a warm, thoughtful smile. "Don't worry, honey. You can count on me."But up until today, that card was still not in Yvonne's hands.I logged into the smart lock application. It showed that over the past month, there had been 17 swipes with that particular access card. Susanna and I both entered the apartment using the fingerprint scanner, so who was using the card?I was pondering that when the door opened. Susanna was home."Babe, Yvonne came late to

I recognized the man. It was Howie. In his hand was the access card that had gone missing.Susanna sprang up from the couch with a flirty look on her face, one that I hadn't seen in a long time.Howie carried himself with ease, as if he'd returned to his own home. He didn't even switch into the guest slippers but put on my silk slippers instead. That pair had been a birthday gift from Susanna, which I usually treasured too much to wear."Susie!" Howie called sweetly before pulling Susanna right into his arms.She cupped his face and kissed him. "What took you so long, you brat? I've missed you like crazy!""I had to get my hair done first," Howie whined as he ran his thumb along her collarbone. "Besides, that old fart won't be back for an entire week anyway. We've got plenty of time.""Then let's get started on a week's worth of fun," Susanna said with a giggle before pulling Howie toward our master bedroom.I stared at my phone screen, my nails digging almost painfully into my

The living room fell completely silent. Everyone's eyes flickered between the boxer shorts and Susanna. Her face had flushed a deep red."I-I got that pair as a gift to you! I wanted to surprise you!""Oh? They're for me?" I raised an eyebrow. "They're a size large, and I wear a size extra large. You've been married to me for three years, and you don't even know that?"Susanna had no way of responding to my retort. Her lips parted, but no words came out.At that moment, a sound came from the master bedroom. Everyone immediately looked toward the room."Is someone in there?" Dad questioned sharply, his expression grim."No! Absolutely not!" Susanna spread her arms to block the bedroom door, shouting urgently. "It's just a cat! Yes, a stray cat got in!""A stray cat?" Scoffing, I signaled to the security guards at the door. "Guys, please help me catch this supposed stray cat."The two security guards immediately stepped forward and pulled Susanna aside. The bedroom door was kicke

Mom was shaking with anger as she cried out, "You shameless slut! Where do you think your money is going to come from if my son doesn't work to earn a living?""How dare you hit me?" Susanna screamed as she clutched her cheek, her eyes flashing venomously. "Fine. Since we've already come this far, there's no way this marriage can be salvaged. If you want a divorce, sure. This apartment is worth 15 million dollars on the market. I want half of the money. All of the cars and savings must be split in half, too!""In your dreams!" Mom retorted sharply. "You didn't fork out a single cent, so why should you get a share of the apartment?""Because I'm his lawfully wedded wife! Because I had to put up with him for three years! You don't want to give me the money?" Susanna shrugged defiantly. "Fine. Then I'm not signing the divorce papers."I'll just move Howie in. I have the access card to the apartment anyway. Let's see who wears who down first! I've got nothing left to lose anyway. You s

By the time I got home after giving my statement to the police, it was already late at night. The apartment was a mess, the air still thick with that nauseating stench.I stood in the center of the living room, looking at the home I had once painstakingly decorated, and felt utterly exhausted."Mr. Carter…"I didn't know when Yvonne had arrived. She stood in the entryway with a bunch of cleaning tools in hand, looking at me in concern. "I heard what happened, so I came right away to check on you. That woman! How could she wreck the apartment like this…"Without asking any questions, she crouched down to begin picking up the shards of glass and trash on the floor. After watching her stooped over on the floor, a part of my cold heart warmed again."Don't bother, Yvonne," I said grimly."It's fine, Mr. Carter. I can get it done in no time. Soon, the apartment will be clean and tidy again.""No, it's fine." I shook my head before looking around. "This apartment has been sullied. I d