บททั้งหมดของ The Hotel Key That Ruined My Husband: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Back in the bedroom, my hands were shaking.The first thing I did was pull out my phone and search the hotel's name.The results made my stomach turn.The Velvet Ember Hotel, ranked first in the city for its adults-only fantasy suites.The suites featured specialty sex chairs and mirrored ceilings.But we haven't had sex for three years.After our daughter, Lily, was born, Derek started avoiding me.When I tried to get close, he said he was tired. When I bought new lingerie, he said he wasn't in the mood.Eventually I looked in the mirror and saw the stretch marks on my belly and the C-section scar, and I understood.I didn't blame him. Men were visual creatures.For Lily's sake, life had to go on. As long as his heart was still with our family, that was enough.But that key card made it impossible to keep lying to myself.I tiptoed to the bathroom door and swiped his phone from the entryway console.The fingerprint lock opened. Mine still worked.Was that reassuring, or just pathetic?

Inside, the lights were dimmed to a hazy amber glow. The two of them tumbled onto the bed.Derek's hand was already sliding under her dress.The woman whined in a breathy, coy voice."Stop it... let's go to the back. What if someone sees..."Derek hoisted her onto his hips and carried her toward the foot of the bed.Without lowering her, he kicked the door nearly shut.I crouched low against the wall and slid my phone camera through the gap in the door.The angle was awkward. I couldn't get a clear shot of the woman's face. But the audio came through crystal clear.They made out for a while, but without protection, they didn't dare go all the way.So they just lay there tangled together, talking."You sneak out to hook up with me every day. Doesn't your wife suspect anything?"Derek kissed her and grinned smugly."We've been married long enough. She trusts me."The woman scoffed, poking a finger into his chest."She's had you for years. What about me? You were my first. When are you go

Derek looked like shit the second he saw the key card.He tugged discreetly at my sleeve and mouthed the words:"Audrey, do you really want to humiliate me like this?"I kept up the cheerful act, pretending I couldn't understand."What are you talking about, honey?"I invited your coworkers to celebrate with you. How is that humiliating?"Unless there's something in that room you don't want people to see?"By now, everyone could sense something was wrong.But nobody jumped to conclusions. They just assumed we were having a marital spat.His coworkers suggested they all go inside and get the party started, trying to ease the tension.I curled my lips into a smile and pressed the key card to the sensor.Derek turned his head away and squeezed his eyes shut in resignation.Click. The door swung open.A woman in a skimpy bunny costume was bent over, her backside pointed straight at us.She cooed in a breathy voice, "Surprise! Tonight I'm all yours..."The room fell into a deathly silence.

When he realized I wasn't going to budge, Derek finally showed his true colors."Fine. You get custody. We split everything fifty-fifty."And you go online, post a video, and tell everyone it was all a misunderstanding. That you staged the whole thing."This is the biggest concession I'm willing to make. Consider it compensation for you and our daughter."He even had the nerve to look like he was making some noble sacrifice.I couldn't help applauding his performance."Compensation? What exactly are you compensating? Are you a clown? Because you're sure good at putting on an act."I wish I could go back five years and claw my own eyes out! I must've been blind to marry you!"I was trying to keep this quiet and settle it between us."Since you won't sign, forget the negotiations. I'll see you in court."I threw my coffee at both of them, grabbed my bag, and started for the door.Derek completely lost it. He pointed at me through clenched teeth."Audrey, I'm warning you. This is your las

As public opinion mounted, more and more people piled on, demanding I apologize to Derek and Natalie.The two of them played it perfectly. One the good cop, one the bad.Derek kept defending me, saying he didn't blame me and begging everyone to forgive my behavior.Natalie, meanwhile, rode the wave of indignation and put on a grand performance."Audrey didn't just insult me personally. She insulted my profession!"Even if I could forgive her, this industry can't! I have a duty to stand up for every kindergarten teacher!"With his devoted-husband act and her righteous-crusader act, the two of them raked in followers.During this time, Derek reached out to me repeatedly.He kept pushing me to make a public apology and voluntarily agree to a divorce. If I cooperated, he'd be generous enough to let me off the hook.He'd give me custody, but I had to give up every dollar.When it came to splitting assets, Natalie was practically gloating."Before, Derek was kind enough to offer you half. Yo