“Morning,” she said.
I looked at my wife.
The woman I had slept beside for eight years.
The woman who kissed me goodbye every morning.
The woman who had promised me, in front of our families, that there would never be secrets between us.
For the first time, I wondered if I knew her at all.
“Morning,” I replied.
Melissa kissed my cheek.
I almost flinched.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Perfect.”
She looked at me for a second longer than usual.
Then Lily giggled.
Melissa turned toward her.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Nothing!” Lily shouted.
I forced another smile.
“Kids.”
Melissa grabbed her bag and left.
The second the front door closed, my smile disappeared.
I Spent the Entire Week Pretending Nothing Was Wrong
Monday was torture.
Tuesday was worse.
Every time Melissa picked up her phone, I watched her.
Every notification made my heart race.
On Wednesday night, she told me she was tired and went to bed early.
