My sister kissed my husband in front of thirty people at her own anniversary party and called it a joke. kertati Her husband had a wrapped present in his hands and an envelope she had never opened.

I sat opposite him.

Neither of us knew what to say.

Finally, he said:

“I called you in February.”

“I know.”

“I asked you if she’d been strange.”

“I remember.”

“I asked if you’d noticed anything.”

“I remember.”

He nodded.

“You told me I was being unfair.”

I closed my eyes.

“I know.”

“I believed you.”

“That wasn’t your fault.”

He looked at me.

“It felt like it was.”

“Why?”

“Because you were her sister.”

He rubbed his hands together.

“I thought if I accused her and I was wrong, I’d destroy my marriage.”

I looked at him.

“And if you were right?”

He gave a tired smile.

“I already had.”

We sat in silence.

Then he said:

“I should have shown you the photographs earlier.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because I wanted proof.”

“You had proof.”

“I wanted enough proof that nobody could call me jealous.”

I looked toward the doorway.

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head.

“You didn’t do this.”

“I defended her.”

“You didn’t know.”

“I should have.”

He looked directly at me.

“No.”

I swallowed.

“You should have listened to yourself.”

Then he pushed an envelope across the table.

“There’s something else.”

I didn’t touch it.

“What?”