za

g out for a while, Eliza," he said, adjusting his watch

flat, holding back the question

added, without looking at

ds gripping my coffee mug

king shut echoing in the silent house. I watched him drive awa

om view, I moved. My fingers flew

new they had an events section. A quick search b

rs of photos. Faces. Smi

them. His smile wide,

fter photo, was her. The w

at the European conference. She was there at every

there for eight years. Eve

r confident smile. The sl

I recognized it from one of the company's olde

ripped through me. I pressed my ha

a hidden wife

creenshots upon screenshots. A

d work laptop. He always left it open when he was

eart hammered against my ribs. I knew this

Bryant. Her name was at t

atest messages were fr

e wrote, followed by a kissy face

ord hit me

. Plans for the up

overlooking the ocean for the awar

," Gavin replied. "Onl

choed in my skul

. Old messages.

the gala," she reminded him cheerfully.

ymbols, my dear," he' d wri

symbols. The

on a boring business trip when we're in Paris," sh

e's... trusting. It helps ma

Appearances. That

el pics on social media," he'd warned her. "Espe

oneymoon. My

a low-key affair because he said he was too busy to go a

a was born. Gavin said he couldn't t

Santorini.

lutching my stomach. The air felt thin, suff

om me as if it were a venomous snake. I

or opened. G

woman' s perfume, faint but distinct. "Hey, I'm back," he said, a c

married. The man who had lied to me for eight years.

managed, my voice s

"I'll grab us some takeout tonight. You deserve a break."

ad shoulders. The way

er. The most

t of almond milk," he called ou

lmond milk. His fav