TIT FOR TAT

Chapter 1

The first thing that made me suspicious was a receipt.

It was such a small, insignificant piece of paper that, under different circumstances, I probably would have thrown it away without looking twice. Instead, I stood in the middle of our bedroom that evening with the receipt between my fingers, staring at the name of the hotel printed across the top while something cold settled inside my stomach.

Adrian had told me he had spent the previous night at the office.

He had kissed my forehead before leaving that morning, apologized for not coming home early, and promised he would make it up to me. He had even sent flowers that afternoon, the kind of expensive white roses he knew I loved, accompanied by a note telling me that no matter how busy his life became, I would always be his favorite part of it.

I had smiled when I read the note. I had believed him. And that was the worst part.

I had spent the entire afternoon feeling loved. Now I was standing in our bedroom wondering why my husband’s receipt was from a luxury hotel across town.

I turned it over. There was a date. It was yesterday.

My eyes moved to the amount and my fingers tightened around the paper. It wasn’t the price of a meal. It wasn’t the kind of expense that could be explained away as a business dinner. It was a private suite.

For one night.

My first instinct was to laugh. A nervous, disbelieving laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head.

“No,” I whispered to myself. “There has to be another explanation.”

There always was an explanation for Adrian. At least, there had been for the last three years.

If he came home late, he was working. If he missed dinner, he was handling an important client. If he disappeared for hours, he was dealing with one of the businesses. And if I ever complained that I barely saw him anymore, he would pull me into his arms and tell me that everything he was doing was for our future.

I had never wanted to be the wife who constantly questioned her husband.

So I trusted him.

I folded the receipt carefully and placed it on the dresser. Then I immediately picked it up again.

Something was wrong. I just didn’t know what.

The bedroom door opened behind me.

I spun around.

Adrian stood there, one hand still resting on the doorknob. For one terrifying second, neither of us spoke.

Then his eyes dropped to the receipt in my hand. Something flashed across his face but it was gone so quickly that I almost convinced myself I had imagined it.

“What’s that?” he asked. His voice sounded normal.

I smiled faintly, “I found it in your jacket.”

He walked toward me, loosened his tie, and gave me the tired smile I had seen a thousand times, “Oh, that.”

“That?” I repeated.

“Yes.” He reached for the receipt casually. “I met a client there last night.”

I stared at him, “At the hotel?”

“Yes.” He replied.

“In a private suite?” I questioned.

His hand paused. Only for a second. Then he nodded, “The client wanted privacy.”

I studied his face. There was no hesitation now. No sign of guilt.

Just Adrian. My Adrian.

The man who knew exactly how to look into my eyes and make every doubt disappear.

“I see,” I murmured.

He smiled and leaned forward to kiss my forehead, “I knew you wouldn’t understand if I explained it badly.”

I forced myself to smile, “I understand.”

His arms went around my waist, “Of course you do and that’s why I love you.”

I rested my cheek against his chest. His familiar cologne filled my senses.

For a moment, I felt ashamed of myself.

What was I doing?

Suspecting my own husband because of a hotel receipt?

I had become paranoid.

Adrian kissed my hair, “You’re the only woman in the world I have to come home to,” he whispered.

My heart softened immediately. I closed my eyes.

Those were the words I wanted to hear. Those were the words that had kept me secure in our marriage.

I didn’t know then that a person could tell you something that sounded like love while hiding an entirely different truth.

For the next few days, I tried to forget the receipt.

I really did.

I buried myself in ordinary things. I went shopping. I met Vanessa for lunch. I reorganized part of the house. I spent time choosing clothes for Adrian because he had an upcoming business dinner.

Life returned to normal. Or at least, it appeared to.

Vanessa came by more often than usual during that period. She was my cousin, but over the years she had become almost like a sister. She was beautiful, confident, and effortlessly fashionable. Whenever she entered a room, people noticed her.

I had never resented that because I loved seeing her happy.

That afternoon, she sat across from me in the living room, crossing one elegant leg over the other while scrolling through her phone.

“You’re too quiet,” she observed.

I looked up, “Am I?”

“Yes.” She lowered the phone, “You’ve been staring at that cup of tea for five minutes.”

I laughed softly, “Maybe I’m thinking.”

“About what?” She asked.

I hesitated, “Adrian.”

Her expression changed. Only slightly.

“What about him?”

I shrugged, “Nothing serious. I just found something strange.”

Her eyes narrowed, “What?”

I was about to answer when my phone rang.

It was Adrian’s call.

I looked at the screen. A smile automatically appeared on my face.

Vanessa noticed, “You really love that man,” she teased.

“I do.” I replied.

I answered the call.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His voice immediately made me feel warm, “How are you?”

“I’m fine. How are you?” I asked my teeth all out from blushing.

“Tired.” He replied.

I smiled, “You’re always tired.”

“I know.” He chuckled softly. “But I’ll be home early tonight.”

My eyebrows lifted, “Really?” I was very excited because in a while he has not come home early.

“Really.” He answered.

I felt ridiculously happy over something so simple, “I’ll be waiting, baby.”

“I miss you.” He said to me and I blushed again.

“I miss you too.” I replied then the call ended.

After we ended the call, I placed my phone on the table.

Vanessa was watching me, “You two are disgustingly in love,” she said with a laugh.

I smiled, “I think I’m lucky.”

She looked away. There was something strange in her expression but before I could ask what was wrong, her phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen. Then she stood abruptly.

“I need to take this.”

She walked toward the hallway. I watched her disappear.

A few seconds later, I heard her voice. It was too quiet for me to make out the words.

Then she laughed. Not the laugh she used with me.

A softer laugh. A flirtatious one.

Then I realized that she could be talking to her husband, Alex.

But when she returned, her expression was perfectly normal, “Everything okay?” I asked.

“Of course.” She answered.

She picked up her handbag, “I have to go.”

“But you just got here.” I wanted to stop her.

“I’m really sorry, Rena but I totally forgot that I had somewhere to be.”

She kissed my cheek and left. I watched her car disappear through the gate.

Then I looked at my phone. Something about her behavior bothered me.

I couldn’t explain why.

******************************************************

That night, I had prepared all Adrian’s favourite meals and decked up waiting for him but sadly Adrian didn’t come home early like he had told me.

At nine, I called him. He didn’t answer.

At ten, he sent a message, “Running late. Don’t wait up.”

I stared at the words for several seconds.

Then I typed: “Okay. Be careful.”

I placed the phone down.

Ten minutes later, another message arrived, “Love you.”

I smiled despite myself then I typed back: “Love you too.”

After which I went upstairs and changed into my nightwear.

I tried to sleep but I couldn’t.

Around midnight, I heard the front door. Adrian came into the bedroom quietly.

He thought I was asleep. I kept my eyes closed.

The mattress shifted as he sat down and I smelled his cologne. A scent that was too familiar to me but beneath it was another scent.

Something sweet. Floral. Not mine.

My eyes opened.

Adrian had already turned away.

“Adrian?” I called.

He froze, “Yes?”

“You’re home.” I said.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.” He simply said.

I pushed myself up, “How was work?”

“Fine.” He removed his watch, “ It was a stressful long night, darling.”

I stared at him. There was a tiny mark on his collar though I couldn’t tell what it was.

My heart began beating faster, “Are you okay?” he asked.

I nodded, “I’m fine.”

He walked toward me. Then he kissed my forehead.

The same gesture. The same tenderness. The same man. But for the first time in three years, I wondered whether I actually knew the person standing in front of me.

I didn't sleep that night.

Even after Adrian slipped into bed and pulled the blanket over himself, I remained awake, staring into the darkness beside him.

Then came the familiar gesture. His arm moved around my waist.

I almost flinched.

Usually, I would have instinctively moved closer to him. Usually, the warmth of his body beside mine would have made me feel safe.

That night, I remained perfectly still.

There was a strange scent clinging to his clothes and It wasn't my perfume.

I had noticed it earlier, but I had tried to convince myself that it meant nothing. Perhaps he had passed someone wearing the same perfume at the office. Perhaps it had come from a client. Perhaps I was simply allowing my imagination to turn harmless things into something ugly.

I wanted to believe those explanations. I desperately wanted to. But my mind kept returning to the hotel receipt. The private suite. The unexplained night, now….. this perfume And the way Adrian had answered my questions without even blinking.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled me into a restless sleep.

*************************************************

Morning came too quickly.

I woke to the sound of the shower running. For a few seconds, I remained still, staring at the ceiling.

Then I heard the bathroom door close. Adrian was showering.

I turned toward his side of the bed. His phone was lying on the bedside table. I wasn't the kind of wife who searched through her husband's phone. At least, I had never been.

We had always trusted each other. Or so I thought.

I pushed myself upright. The shower continued running. I looked at his phone again. My heart began beating faster.

Then the screen lit up. A notification appeared. I froze.

The message was from a resort.

I leaned closer. My eyes moved across the screen.

Reservation Confirmed.

My breath caught. I picked up the phone. I wasn't trying to unlock it. I didn't need to.

The notification itself showed enough information. The name of the resort. The reservation dates. It was booked for three days.

And then I saw something that made my stomach drop.

Exclusive Resort Booking — Private Section Reserved.

I stared at the screen.

A whole section of the resort had been booked. Not a room. Not a table. Not even a villa. A significant portion of the resort and that too, for three days.

I quickly pulled out my own phone. My hands were trembling as I took a picture of the notification.

One. Then another, just in case. Then, I placed Adrian's phone exactly where I had found it.

The shower was still running.

I sat there for a moment, staring at my own phone. I didn't know what to feel.

Fear. Anger. Or Confusion.

But underneath all of it was something stronger.

Determination.

I was done sitting around convincing myself that everything was fine. If Adrian was innocent, I would find out.

If there was nothing to worry about, I would apologize to myself for ever doubting him. But if he was lying...

I wanted the truth. I didn't want someone else to show me. I wanted to see it myself.

The bathroom door opened.

I quickly placed my phone beneath the pillow and stood.

Adrian walked out, rubbing his hair with a towel, “Good morning, sweetheart.”

I smiled, “Good morning.”

He walked toward the wardrobe.

I turned toward the bed and began arranging the pillows. My movements were deliberately calm.

Adrian opened the wardrobe and began looking through his clothes, “I need to tell you something.”

I paused, “What?”

“I need to travel urgently.” He said it so casually.

I turned around, “Travel?”

“Yes.” He pulled out a shirt and placed it on the bed, “Something came up suddenly. I'll be gone for three days.”

I stared at him.

Three days.

My eyes briefly dropped toward my phone. The same three days listed in the reservation.

My heart gave a painful thud, “Where are you going?”

He mentioned a location. I listened carefully. It wasn't the same location shown on the reservation.

Not even close.

The reservation was for a resort within our own country. He was telling me he was traveling somewhere else entirely. For three days.

I felt something inside me go cold. But I didn't let it show.

Instead, I smiled, “Okay.”

Adrian looked at me, “You're not upset?”

“Why would I be?” I shrugged and returned to arranging the bed, “You have work. I understand.”

He smiled with relief, “I knew you would understand.”

I turned my face away before he could see my expression, “I'll miss you,” I said softly.

“I'll miss you too.” He walked toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I allowed him to hold me.

I even smiled, “Just be safe,” I whispered.

“I will.” He said.

“And finish whatever you need to finish quickly.” I said.

“I promise.” He replied.

“Then come back to me.” I finished.

He kissed my forehead, “I always come back to you, baby.”

The irony of those words almost made me laugh. Instead, I hugged him tighter.

I wanted him to believe that I believed him. Because if Adrian was hiding something, I didn't want him to know that I had discovered the first crack in his story.

He left later that morning with a kiss and another promise that he would call me when he arrived.

I stood by the window and watched his car disappear through the gates.

Only when it was completely out of sight did my smile disappear.

I walked back upstairs, locked the bedroom door, then I took out my phone.

The photograph of the reservation was still there. I zoomed in. I took a closer look at the resort name. The dates. The booking time.

Everything was clear.

My fingers moved across the screen until I found the resort's website. I stared at the photographs.

The place was beautiful. A luxurious private resort overlooking the ocean, surrounded by palm trees and secluded villas.

And Adrian had booked half of it. For three days.

I looked at the clock. My heart began pounding.

If the reservation was real, I knew exactly when I needed to be there.

I opened my wardrobe. For several minutes, I stood staring at my clothes. Then I began pulling things out.

A simple dress. Comfortable shoes. A handbag. My phone charger. A scarf to cover my face and lastly dark glasses so that no one would recognize me.

I packed quietly. I wasn't going there to make a scene. I wasn't going there to confront Adrian.

Not yet. I was going there to find out the truth.

For three years, I had trusted my husband without question. Now, for the first time, I was going to trust my instincts instead.

I glanced at the photograph one last time.

Then I whispered to myself,

“Let's see where you really are, Adrian.”