3
I walked out with Daniel’s phone.
He had no defenses against me.
I easily unlocked his phone, but I didn’t reply to Chloe’s message.
I just scrolled up,
As if tracing back their story.
The serious, rigid boss meets the innocent, lively intern, causing trouble yet finding himself intrigued and a little smitten by her antics. They both knew what was happening, but preferred to enjoy the unspoken flirtation, letting themselves fall deeper.
I tried to steady my breathing.
I pressed the record button again, capturing the evidence of my husband’s infidelity.
3:41 pm DS
<
I opened his photo gallery.
It was almost entirely filled with pictures of Chloe.
But no pictures of them together.
They were all secretly taken by Daniel.
Chloe working, Chloe talking to colleagues, Chloe napping, Chloe slacking off. From initially not looking at the camera at all, to later shyly acknowledging it, the last few pictures showed Chloe laughing freely, facing the lens.
Just as I finished recording,
Another message popped up on SnapChat.
“Daniel, it’s been ten years. Don’t do anything to hurt Amelia. Her face tonight was clearly off.”
The sender was Ben.
One of the company’s OGs.
When the company first started, there were only three of us.
Me, Ben, and Daniel.
Later, as the company grew and staff increased, I gradually returned to focusing on our family. It was only when doing financial reports that I remembered I still held a nominal title as CFO.
Daniel and Ben were super close.
From the moment Daniel first realized his unusual feelings, they’d talked about it.
Bits and pieces, detailing Daniel’s slow slide into infidelity.
“It’s been ten years, I haven’t felt love for Amelia for ages. Every time I hold her hand, it’s like I’m holding my own hand. When I touch her body, it feels like touching my own. This isn’t love anymore.”
“Yes, I know Amelia gave up her career to take care of my mom back then. But now we have nothing in common. The moment she starts talking about groceries and bills, I get annoyed.”
3:42 pm DSS
<
“Ben, I hadn’t felt that rush, that flutter in my chest, in ages. Meeting her, I feel like I’m in love.”
“She’s so kind, so fragile. I genuinely want to take care of her for the rest of my life, but I’m already married. I know I shouldn’t betray Amelia, but I can’t control my feelings.”
In the end, there was only one ridiculous question left:
“Does emotional cheating count as cheating?”
Ben didn’t reply.
It was Daniel’s own self-doubt.
“Forget it. It’s been ten years. No more drama.”
That night, Daniel snored loudly enough to shake the house in the guest bedroom, probably living out his wish to be with Chloe in his dreams. In the master bedroom, I cried all night, watching every detail of his betrayal unfold.
It wasn’t until dawn that I finally exhaled a sigh:
“Disgusting.”
Ten years of love, and all that was left for me in the end was a churning, overwhelming sense of disgust.
My phone vibrated. It was my lawyer.
“Amelia, the agreement is drafted. When do you plan to confront Daniel?”
From outside, Daniel’s voice rang out:
“Honey, I’m up. You should get ready too.”
“Let’s go buy new rings today, tomorrow’s our fifth wedding anniversary. We should really celebrate!”
I hummed in response.
3:42 pm DSS
<
I looked down and replied to my lawyer:
“I want to get away for a bit. For our anniversary tomorrow, please meet Daniel in my place.”‘
“Confront him, talk about the divorce.”
