Chapter 4

As work was winding down, I glanced at my phone to see a message from Jack with a dinner reservation image. [7 PM, don't leave me hanging.]

It was for the sky-high eatery I'd always wanted to try.

I'd pestered him to mark our anniversary there, but he'd always dismissed the idea.

"What's so special about that place? We can celebrate anywhere."

"Do you know how hard it is to get a table? I don't have the time for that hassle."

I had been there before, but only to catch him in the act.

No one knew the anxiety I experienced when I saw Lily check in at that spot at that time.

Hurrying there, I discovered Jack, who'd sworn to be with me, sitting comfortably with her.

Before I could say anything, Lily softly began, "Hi Jen, don't be upset with Jack. He's just showing me the ropes since I got a promotion today..."

Jack, ever the smooth talker, added, "Everything here is completely innocent. Why are you acting like you've caught us doing something wrong?"

What could I say?

I observed them, looking every bit like a couple in love, at the restaurant I'd dreamed of visiting. What else was there to do?

Reflecting on it later, my spirits sank, but I still played along with Jack's scheme.

Unfortunately, I waited the entire evening, but he never showed up.

When the server asked, I quietly ordered a single meal and dined alone.

Hours passed, and just as I arrived home, Jack walked in shortly after.

"Jen, I need to explain," he began.

I listened as he described why he missed our dinner.

Once again, it involved Lily.

She had accidentally scalded herself with hot water during a meeting.

Jack had taken her to the emergency room and then ensured she got home safely.

By the time he remembered to look for me, I'd already left the restaurant.

He spoke about Lily with such innocence and concern, his words full of affection.

Only I was aware of her true intentions.

The subtle online clues, and the inconsistencies in our marriage, all indicated Lily's plotting.

"Honey, you're not mad, are you?" he paused, trying to read my reaction.

Seeing no immediate answer, Jack continued, watching me closely.

"No, just listening. By the way, didn't Lily wreck the computer? Weren't you furious about that?"

I asked because when Lily first joined the company, she was inexperienced and clumsy, constantly messing things up.

Jack would return home complaining about her, always on the verge of firing her.

Yet, within half a year, his irritation turned to tolerance.

He even took responsibility for her mistakes at work.

My question confirmed to him that I was upset.

"If you're angry, just say so! Why hint at it? It's tiring trying to figure out what you're thinking!"

I sighed, unsure how to express that I truly wasn't angry.

I was simply curious.

Besides, when I did get mad, it was never this quiet—I always made a fuss.

Jack still didn't understand me.

I laughed softly, shaking my head, feeling no need to clarify further.

"I'm really not upset, I'm heading to bed."

He embraced me, whispering suggestively, "Jen... how about we..."

"Too tired, maybe another time."

I slipped out of his arms and shut the bedroom door behind me.

My exhaustion quickly pulled me into sleep, unaware of Jack leaving the house.