When Love Rings False in My Mind

Midnight had come and gone, taking our anniversary with it, but Elliot Cahill still wasn't home.

Just then, a message from the private investigator lit up my phone.

"Mrs. Cahill, Mr. Cahill has known this woman for a year. He's been extremely careful about keeping her out of sight, so I only managed to get a couple of pictures."

The images slowly loaded on my screen, and I immediately recognized the woman in them.

She owned my favorite bakery, and Elliot had been celebrating her birthday.

There was cake frosting smeared across his face. Knowing that dairy triggered his allergy, I instinctively reached toward the screen to wipe it away.

Before my fingers could touch the glass, however, my tears landed on it.

…

Elliot returned the following morning with a box of my favorite croissants in his hand.

When he saw me sitting on the couch, concern immediately crossed his face. "Why are you up so early? Did you have trouble sleeping?"

He had changed his clothes, but the angry red rash along his cheek was impossible to miss.

Lowering my eyes, I replied, "No. I went to bed early last night."

Elliot breathed a sigh of relief, then sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, surrounding me with the unfamiliar scent of someone else's body wash.

"Josie, I missed you so much. We closed a major deal yesterday, and everyone got carried away celebrating. They started throwing cake around, and some of it got on my face," he explained. "At least there was some good news. There wasn't a line at your favorite bakery this morning."

In the past, I would've been touched and fretted over the rash on his face.

Now, another notification chimed in my ears like the beginning of a nightmare.

It was all a lie.

No wonder Elliot had been working late more often and coming home later each night. Still, no matter how late he returned, he always brought me croissants from my favorite bakery.

I used to feel guilty that he went so far out of his way for me, but only now did I realize he had never made a special trip.

The bakery was exactly where he wanted to be.

"I'll get your allergy medicine."

I rose abruptly, desperate to escape the chime before it became unbearable, but Elliot caught my hand.

"I know you're worried about me, but it's nothing serious."

My gaze dropped to the hand holding mine.

"Where's your wedding ring?" I asked.

Elliot paused before flashing me a smile. "I dropped it off to be cleaned. You know I wouldn't stop wearing it after you reminded me how important it was."

Another notification sounded, snuffing out the final sliver of hope I had been clinging to.

"Really?"

I stared directly into his eyes. "Which jeweler did you take it to? I think I'll have mine cleaned, too."

His smile didn't falter, though he hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It's a long drive. There's no reason for you to go through all that trouble. I'll take yours next time."

A slow, relentless ache spread through my chest.

Elliot had always been thoughtful enough to anticipate what I needed and careful enough to account for every detail. Apparently, those same qualities had allowed him to hide another woman from me for an entire year.

He took my diamond ring and put it away for safekeeping, then tied an apron around his waist and headed into the kitchen.

"How about I make you that mushroom soup again today?" he offered.

I looked up, my voice hoarse. "Again? You've never made mushroom soup here before."

His back stiffened for a second, but by the time he reached for a stockpot, he had already recovered.

"You misheard me. I said I'd make mushroom soup for you today. It's a new recipe I learned. It's supposed to be good for you."

Steam rose from the pot and filled the kitchen, making my eyes sting.

As another notification chimed, I remembered the early days of my pregnancy, when I had spent hours paging through cookbooks and studying every recipe recommended for expectant mothers.

The very first one had been mushroom soup.

Then, a taunting message appeared on my screen.

"Did you enjoy the croissants, Ms. Cox?"