Chapter 3
The journey back from Joan’s seemed to go on forever. I was getting closer to a truth I didn’t want to face with every mile. I held onto the steering wheel tightly, struggling to process the realization that Liam had betrayed me. How was he able to do this? And of all people, with Sophie?
Sophie’s car was parked on the street as I turned into our driveway. My stomach churned. She was here, of course. When the cat’s away, why waste time?
Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself. My chest felt heavy as lead with the weight of what I was about to face. But I had to approach this with caution. I was unable to let my feelings overcome me. Not quite yet.
I quietly entered the house. Laughter echoed from the living room, abruptly ending as the door clicked shut behind me. There was a minute of anxious movement before Liam came into the hallway, his shirt hurriedly buttoned.
“Diane! You are home early. “I thought you were staying at Joan’s for a few more days,” he said, his voice straining with false casualness. I forced a smile, hoping it didn’t appear as phony as it felt. “I missed you,” I said deceitfully. “Thought I’d surprise you.”
Sophie entered into the living room with her cheeks flushed. “Di! I simply came by to borrow a book. You know how Liam usually gives the best recommendations.”
The clear lie lingered in the air between us. I almost laughed at the silliness of the situation. Instead, I nodded to preserve my facade. “Of course.” Find anything good?”
Sophie struggled for words, evidently taken aback by my seeming unawareness. “I, uh….I was just leaving, honestly. “There is a lot to do today.”
“Don’t rush off on my account,” I murmured, my tone sickening sweet. Why don’t you stay for dinner? It’s been a while since we’ve all spent time together.”
The panic in their eyes was almost hilarious. Liam rushed in, a bit too eagerly. “Actually, honey, I have a late meeting tonight.” “Rain check?”
I nodded, pretending dismay. “Okay, another time. Sophie, let’s schedule a sisters’ day soon. “It feel like we haven’t spent much time together lately.
With a jerky nod, Sophie started to edge closer to the entrance. “Yes, without a doubt. I’ll give you a call. Di, good bye. Liam, good bye.”
I forced myself to seem normal as the door closed behind her and turned to face Liam. “So, how was your day?”
Liam appeared to calm down, obviously thinking he had avoided a gunshot. “Oh, the typical, you know. Conference calls and meetings. Nothing very thrilling.”
I nodded, suppressing the need to yell and tell him what I knew. Instead, I said, “I think I’ll go freshen up. long drive.”
In the restroom, i took a trembling breath, holding onto the sink for support. The want to face them, to vent my rage and anguish, was nearly overwhelming. But I knew I needed more. If I wanted to quit this marriage. I needed solid proof if I was going to dissolve this marriage.
I was excellent at playing the unaware wife over the next few weeks. Liam’s weak justifications for staying late at work made me smile. At family get-togethers, I pretended not to notice the lingering glances between him and Sophie. I was gathering evidence all along.
I put a tracking app on Liam’s phone and I kept track of all the times he went to Sophie’s apartment or saw her at different hotels. To take pictures of their secret meetings, I hired a private investigator. I kept thorough records of all our credit card charges that seemed strange and all of our unexplained absences.