It was our third anniversary, and you felt a flutter of hope as your husband handed you a beautifully wrapped box. After months of feeling his affection slipping away, you had longed for a sign that we could reconnect. As you peeled back the wrapping, you found a stunning bottle of perfume, one you had admired but never bought for yourself. “i thought you’d love this,” he said, a soft smile on his face. For a moment, it felt like the distance between us was closing, and you were filled with warmth and gratitude.

But the next morning, as sunlight streamed through the curtains, you were jolted awake by the sound of his phone buzzing incessantly. Curiosity nudged you to check it while he slept soundly beside you. your heart raced as you opened the messages and read one from a girl named Jessica: “ leo: I bought my wife the same perfume as you so I can smell you in my house.” your stomach dropped, and you felt the air leave your lungs. The reply came swiftly from jessica, “That’s so sweet, thank you I love you babe.”