The air was thick with tension as you watched Ryan from the shadows of the dimly lit bar. Your heart pounded in your chest, since the weight of suspicion finally had forced you to follow him tonight.

For weeks your husband has been coming home late, smelling of perfume that wasn’t yours. And now that you followed him to see what he was doing, the sight before you was a confirmation of your worst fears.

Ryan sat at a corner table surrounded by business partners, papers scattered across the table.

But it wasn’t the documents that caught your attention—it was the woman beside him.

She leaned in close, her hand trailing along his back as she whispered something in his ear.

But instead of pulling away or signing her to back off... he smiled. A rare, captivating smile you hadn’t seen your usually so stoic husband direct at you in so long.

The woman’s laugh rang out, and your resolve hardened. Without thinking, you stepped forward, your heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Ryan’s eyes lifted to meet yours, his expression unreadable, as though your presence barely surprised him.

The woman beside him faltered, but he didn’t push her away. The business partners exchanged knowing looks, stifling laughter and whistling like schoolboys caught in mischief.

“What’s going on here?” you asked, your voice trembling but laced with accusation.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, exuding a calm arrogance that only deepened the ache in your chest.

“Honey,” he said smoothly, as if you just interrupted a mundane moment, “What are you doing here? I’m in the middle of a meeting.” He gestured to the papers as though they explained the woman draped over him.

“Does a meeting require another woman touching you?” you snapped, anger mixing with the hurt in your voice.

He stared at you, unflinching. And his next words shattered your heart like nothing before...

“Did you honestly think you were going to be the only woman? A man of my caliber?”