The Enemy I Called Husband

ella

Adrian had always complained about strong fragrances, which was why I'd stopped wearing my favorite perfume three years into our marriag

nt air freshener that morning. I hadn't. In fact, I hadn't been home since eight,

ing to color, and couldn't sleep unless the curtains were completely closed. He also hated unfamiliar scents in his personal s

planner had ended earlier than expected, giving me enough time to freshen up before di

hat was wha

I distinctly remembered making the bed before leaving that morning. Adrian had complained th

e been unusual. His office was only twenty minutes away, a

pillow when something b

down and pulled it from beneath the bed, only to disc

s unde

h tiny embroidered flowers along the waistband. There was a small golden bu

those p

pent almost an hour trying on different sets, complaining that everything was either too plain or rid

derwear in front of me, "is what you wear

d that the sales a

eased her about spending so much money on underwear, she wink

I remembered that conversa

that would prove I was mistaken. There wasn't one. The same

n ringing ins

dropped

as A

at had comforted me through my father's funeral and whispered promises

I'm h

s a brie

" he r

meeting en

I heard a muffled sound in the background

d rest before tonight. You've

at the underwe

d you come

hy

, but something about how qui

s like someon

unch. Had a headache, so I lay dow

N

y, I've got another meeting. I'll

o," I answered

all e

ndering why my husband had sounded rel

until morning. Maybe she'd changed clothes in the guest room and somehow misplaced the underwear. But the

foolish for trying so hard to explain so

vibrate

e, it wa

y, babe! Ar

reply, another

e tell me you'

She usually showed up unannounced, helped herself to whatever was in my

:

ared immediately, disappe

us. I wanted to surpri

ssage, then slowly

alread

minute, she

y phon

oment I answered. Her voice was unu

somethi

not. Why would a

when was the last tim

hesi

member? I brought

e'd spent the entire afternoon downstairs. Ad

u go up

ha

oom. Did yo

ed was long enough for

you asking me these

black lace lyi

, I heard a man's voi

have you

ightened aro

voice better

as A

me he was attending a