Chapter 2

I stared at the wedding photographs scattered across the floor. In my anger, I had knocked almost everything over, and my eyes were swollen and red from crying. My head throbbed painfully, but I barely noticed.

I didn’t even know how I had made it home. All I could remember was leaving that hotel with a thousand questions running through my mind.

When had it started? How long had they been doing this? How could the two people I trusted most betray me so cruelly?

I reached into my handbag, took out a painkiller, and swallowed it, hoping it would ease the headache. Unfortunately, no medicine could take away the pain sitting in my chest.

After a while, I forced myself to pick up the photographs I had thrown around and put everything back in its proper place.

As hurt as I was, I wasn’t going to expose Ethan just yet. I wanted to see how far he intended to take this pretence. I wanted to hear what he would say when he came home and looked me in the eyes.

I freshened up, trying to make myself look normal again. Whatever happened, I couldn’t allow him to suspect that I knew.

With a heavy heart, I went downstairs and began washing the dishes I had abandoned that morning when I rushed out to deliver his documents. I had no idea that the very documents I had been so eager to bring him would lead me to the destruction of my marriage.

Barely two minutes into washing, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind.

Ethan.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, pressing affectionate kisses against my skin.

I flinched, nearly dropping the plate in my hands.

For a moment, I wanted to turn around and slap him. I wanted to demand an explanation for what I had witnessed. But I held myself back.

Instead, I turned to face him.

He cupped my cheeks, looking at me with the same tenderness I had known for years.

“Honey, I got the good news I was hoping for.”

I almost scoffed.

Was the good news that he was going to become the father of my best friend’s son?

“Is that so?” I managed, forcing a smile. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you.”

He studied my face, his expression changing slightly.

“Oh, you look so pale. Are you sick? Is something wrong?”

I searched for a convincing lie.

“My head hurts so badly. That’s all.”

“Honey, you need to rest. You know you’re not completely recovered yet.”

I nodded.

This was how caring Ethan had always been with me. He remembered when I was unwell, worried when I looked tired, and never failed to make me feel loved.

Only now did I understand how little those gestures meant when he could turn around and betray me so effortlessly.

Then he smiled.

“To cheer you up, I got you something.”

He reached for a slice of cake.

I recognised it immediately.

It was the same cake I had seen at his table at the hotel. The same celebration arranged for the expected baby boy.

I nearly laughed at the audacity of it.

He had brought me a slice of the cake meant to celebrate his affair?

How many times had he done this? How many chocolates, little gifts and thoughtful surprises had I received after he had spent time with her? Had some of the things I treasured simply been leftovers from their moments together?

Ethan picked up a fork and held it out to me.

“Here. Eat.”

I opened my mouth and accepted the bite, but I couldn’t bring myself to chew.

“As you eat, let me freshen up, okay?”

He kissed my forehead before heading upstairs, humming casually as though nothing had happened.

The moment he disappeared, I removed the cake from my mouth and spat it into the sink.

I couldn’t swallow anything that reminded me of them.

An idea began forming in my mind.

I reached for my phone and opened my messages. After staring at the screen for a few seconds, I typed a message.

Can we meet?

I sat at a table in a quiet café, waiting for him. I tapped my feet anxiously, taking one sip after another from the glass of water I had ordered.

I had barely spoken to Cole before. After all, he was my best friend’s husband. There had never been a reason for us to become close.

But things were different now.

I needed to tell him what I had discovered. Camille and Ethan were betraying both of us, and the baby she was carrying might not be his.

I needed to expose them before deciding what to do next.

Finally, I spotted him walking towards my table.

Cole was tall and composed, with an air of confidence that made him difficult to overlook. He pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down.

“Mrs. Sienna, I’m sorry I’m late. I had a meeting.”

“It’s okay.”

I didn’t want to waste time exchanging pleasantries, so I went straight to the point.

“I asked you to meet me because there’s something you need to know. Camille and Ethan are having an affair.”

He remained silent.

I swallowed before continuing.

“And the baby Camille is carrying… I don’t think it’s yours. I believe it’s my husband’s.”

Cole leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

I had expected shock, perhaps anger or even disbelief. I wasn’t sure how he would react, so I reached for my glass of water and took a sip, trying to steady my nerves.

But before I could say anything else, he interrupted.

“I know everything, Mrs. Sienna.”

I froze.

“What?”

He looked directly at me.

“And let’s do the same.”