ie's

gh the large glass windows. A half-eaten croissant sat on my plate, but

cino before speaking. "Alright

pounded

gainst the table. "The newer letters

ard. "And the

different per

. "So that means... som

ed. "Looks

racing. If Daniel had written some of them, why didn'

o ask him?" Emil

. "Not yet. I n

, this is dangerous territory. If Daniel has sec

sn't it better to know the

ily. "Just... be

ack into my purse. I had to fin

el's

or, his expression unreadab

om my laptop. "

our wife. She's

hed. Of cour

e a folder. "W

It was a photo of Sophie and Emil

asn't just curious anymor

," Mason said quietly. "

ling inside me. I never wanted Sophie involved

e was forci

ething before i

ie's

ice, my fingers trembling. He was sitting beh

and smiled.

tated.

o come closer. "Some

le and stepped forwa

Not

st the desk. "Do you ev

dy sti

for my hand. "Not as much a

e answer he ga

perf

rehe

ccept it. "You're right.

rs relaxed.

didn'

letting

I had ev

ldn't

w them-every word, every unanswered question. I wanted to

f the clock ticked away the minutes. Beside me, Daniel's breathi

st innocent. But the weight in my chest told me otherwise. There we

d tiptoed toward the door. The hallway was dimly lit, the cold til

gh his things, I found those l

efore pushing

e leather. The dim glow of his desk lamp illuminated the room, casting e

I hea

t shu

nded as I tu

th

se was

feeling and focused. F

ontracts and company files. The secon

fr

lack box

y fingers trembling

delicate si

wasn't mine. I had ne

d to it. A heart-shaped locket. I opened it car

my world

a picture

rom Daniel's pas

el's

und of the bedroom

ph

eing quiet, but I kne

stening. Seconds p

n't com

I threw the sheets aside and got

the door was slightly ajar. My

she

oz

around the small bl

slowly.

es wide with shock, hurt,

ou shouldn't have go

bove a whisper. "Why d

mediately. Because

go? That a part of me s

around the locket. "

one I had been av

forward, but s

phi

r me!" Her

le

as her

looked at me like I was a stranger. Like I

I knew at that moment-somet

into my chest bef

time in a long t

t this time, she w

ie's

eel as the city lights blurred around me. My heart felt

I have bee

loved me. That even if our marriage started as s

t

't sure of

ing my forehead against the steering whe

ing but a

e for the woman

ation hit

rved b

my window m

s quickly befor

mouthing, "

a small smile as

ger seat, her eyes scann

y breath. "It wa

ed. "What are yo

niel. He never loved me.

throat. Saying the

ion darkened. "

he bracelet. The locket. The picture

shed, she was fumi

itter laug

You can't let him do

the windshield. "I d

ou do know. You just ha

hard. Maybe

it was

el's

, staring at the b

n the house w

adn't co

and down my

n cautious. "Sir, I just got w

stiffly.

upset when

er chuckle. "Of

ted. "Do you

him off. "Sh

r a moment before n

back in my chair, s

just l

e impor

deserve t