“It is just an associate asking about work,” he claimed, sliding the device into his pocket.
“Of course it is,” I nodded, keeping my expression completely neutral.
That night, he fell asleep beside me within minutes, resting one arm over his head while breathing deeply like a man with no fears in the world. I lay wide awake beside his quiet form until the entire apartment went completely silent. Then I slipped out from under the covers and walked over to the wooden dresser where his phone sat charging on its stand. I did not touch the device itself, choosing instead to simply watch the screen.
It lit up once in the dark, revealing a bright notification preview from Isabelle.
Don’t wait too long after the wire transfer goes through, the text read clearly. Our baby deserves to carry your real last name.
Behind me on the bed, Hunter stirred slightly in his sleep, but he did not wake up. Standing there in the dark, I realized I was no longer deciding whether to end my marriage, but rather deciding how much of him would still be standing when I was finally finished.
CHAPTER 2
The very next morning, I made Hunter his morning coffee exactly the way he liked it, choosing a dark roast with one splash of cream and no sugar. Pretending that everything was normal had suddenly become the most powerful weapon I owned. He kissed my forehead gently, told me he had back to back meetings all afternoon, and walked out the door carrying the fine leather briefcase I had purchased for our second wedding anniversary. I waited patiently until the elevator doors closed completely before I let out a long breath.
