Booki Chapteri
That morning, I noticed our housekeeper’s lip was split. Then my husband Ryan leaned over to kiss me. I smiled and dodged playfully, but caught sight of the cluster of red marks across his collarbone. Suddenly, my mind went blank as realization struck. Those weren’t just marks they were hickeys and scratch marks. The man I’d been married to for seven years was having
an affair.
I kept smiling as I saw him off to work, kept smiling as I closed the door behind him. Only when I turned away did my heart plummet into darkness. After Ryan left, I felt my world spinning. Outside, the sun blazed bright, but my heart felt gripped by a iron fist, leaving me gasping for air. From the living room came the sound of Emma, our housekeeper, humming as she cleaned. Before, I might have found it pleasant. But now, all I could think about was her split lip and the marks on Ryan’s neck.
My phone chimed. Opening it, I saw messages from Ryan:
*Babe, made it to work!?
“Want anything special for dinner?”
“I’ll grab it on my way home?”
“Why aren’t you responding, honey?”
“Earth to wifey please leave a message after the beep!”
“Beep…
I didn’t want to suspect, but those marks on his neck kept flashing through my mind. That evening when he was working late, called him. As usual, he picked up instantly.
“Autumn?”
I made a small sound of acknowledgment. His voice floated through the night air, carrying the crisp chill of late fall–seductive yet unsettling. Tender and intimate.
“Missing me?”
I was about to nod when I heard it faint but unmistakable. A woman’s muffled whimpers coming through the phone. Intermittent, breathless sounds of pleasure. My chest tightened. “Where are you?”
He caught the edge in my voice, concern entering his tone: “Still at the office working. What’s wrong? Did you forget your med again?”
After a pause, I asked: “Can you come home instead?”
“I can’t leave right now, baby. Be good, okay? I’ll head back as soon as I finish up here.”
“Okay, get back to work then. I fought to keep my voice steady.
“Sweet dreams, love. Don’t wait up for me…”
He was lying to me.
How considerate of him to juggle his mistress while fielding his wife’s check–in call. I hung up without responding. Silent tear: rolled down my face.
