ManyWriters

As the holiday season neared, my usual beauty salon was fully booked. The staff inquired if I'd be willing to share a room, and I agreed, thinking it wouldn't be an issue.
My roommate turned out to be a young woman who seemed vaguely familiar.
At checkout, the woman's card was declined. "Honey, my beauty card is empty," she cooed into her phone.
"Sweetheart, hold on. I'll send you some money now. Is 20,000 enough?" A doting male voice responded, sounding eerily like my spouse, Dexter Keaton.
I laughed internally, believing I was being paranoid, when my phone alerted me: [20,000 withdrawn from my account.] Suddenly, I felt as if I'd plunged into a frozen lake, chilled to the bone.

Married for a Decade, Betrayed in a Beauty Salon

"Oh, you're always sweet-talking me. When will you come clean to her?" Scarlett said, feigning a pout.


"Just be patient," Dexter responded dismissively.


"Patient? I've been patient for two years already!" Scarlett's tone was filled with frustration.


My hand clenched the doorknob so tightly that my knuckles went white. Two years. For a full two years, Dexter and Scarlett had been involved, and I, like an idiot, had been completely unaware.


"Fine, didn't you mention wanting that new purse from L brand? Use my card to buy it," Dexter offered, attempting to appease her.


"That's better. I'll let it slide this time because of the bag, but don't upset me again," Scarlett replied, her earlier frustration replaced by excitement.


She seemed unaware, but after a decade with Dexter, I could easily detect the irritation behind his polite facade. Beneath his charming exterior, Dexter was cold and distant.


5#05