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Chapter 3

The black leather notebook felt heavy in my hands as I sat cross-legged on our bedroom floor, my back pressed against the bed where Ethan and Leo had betrayed me. The irony wasn't lost on me.

"Name," I whispered, writing in careful block letters. "Contact Information. Relationship to Ethan."

I tapped my pen against the blank page, organizing my thoughts. This wasn't just about catching Ethan in the act—this was about consequences. About making sure he understood exactly what he'd done.

"James Peterson," I wrote. "Ethan's boss at the Chicago branch. jpeterson@harrington.com."

James had been at our wedding. He'd toasted to our happiness, calling Ethan his "most promising young executive."

"He should know what kind of man he's promoting," I murmured, adding his email address.

I continued methodically, filling page after page with names and contact information. Colleagues. Friends. The couple who lived next door and had us over for drinks last month.

"Social Media," I wrote at the top of a new page. "Facebook: Ethan Hayes. Instagram: @EthanHayesOfficial. LinkedIn: Ethan Hayes, Account Executive."

My fingers trembled slightly as I added his Twitter handle. Each account represented another avenue for exposure, another way to ensure his lies couldn't hide.

"And Leo," I added, creating a separate section. "Leo Martinez. Works with Ethan. Same office."

I didn't have his personal information yet, but I would. The cameras would help with that.

I closed the notebook and slid it beneath a loose floorboard under my side of the bed. Ethan never cleaned under there—he left that to me.

"Perfect," I whispered, pressing the board back into place.

---

Three days later, my phone buzzed with a notification from the camera app.

"Motion detected in Kitchen Cam," read the alert.

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the app, switching to the live feed. The kitchen appeared empty at first, then the door swung open.

Leo walked in first, glancing around cautiously. He wore a tight blue t-shirt that showed off his muscular arms and a pair of designer jeans.

"Coast is clear?" he called over his shoulder.

"She's at her yoga class," Ethan replied, stepping into view. "Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:45. Like clockwork."

I watched, my stomach churning, as Ethan crossed the kitchen and pulled Leo into an embrace.

"I missed you," Leo murmured against Ethan's neck. "Last night was torture, having to pretend at dinner."

"Dinner with the Hamiltons was important," Ethan said, his hands sliding down to cup Leo's buttocks. "But I couldn't stop thinking about you."

I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood as they kissed—deeply, passionately—right in front of the refrigerator where I kept our wedding photos.

"Let's go to the bedroom," Leo suggested, his voice husky. "We've got time."

"God, yes," Ethan agreed, taking his hand.

I switched to the Bedroom Cam just in time to see them enter, already half-undressed. Leo's shirt hit the floor first, followed by Ethan's.

"Right here," Leo said, pushing Ethan onto the bed—our bed—and straddling him. "Where she can't see us."

The irony of his words made me laugh bitterly through my tears.

---

"I made your favorite sandwich," I announced cheerfully, placing a carefully wrapped package in Ethan's lunch bag. "Chicken salad with the honey mustard dressing you like."

Ethan looked up from his coffee, surprise evident on his face. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know," I replied with a smile that felt like it might crack my face. "I wanted to."

He studied me for a moment, perhaps looking for signs that I knew something. Finding none, his shoulders relaxed.

"That's... really sweet, Amelia."

I added a small container of cut strawberries and a homemade brownie. "I thought you might be working late again. These will keep you going."

"Probably," he confirmed, checking his watch. "The Blackwood account is taking most of my time these days."

I nodded sympathetically, already planning my next move.

Later that afternoon, I loaded the lunch bag into my car and drove to Ethan's office building. The gleaming glass tower of Blackwood Industries dominated the skyline, a testament to Damien Blackwood's business empire.

"I'm here to surprise my husband," I told the receptionist, my voice bright and eager. "Ethan Hayes? He works in Marketing."

"Of course," she smiled. "He's on the 12th floor."

The elevator ride gave me time to compose myself. When the doors opened, I stepped into a sleek, modern workspace. Several heads turned as I walked in, carrying the lunch bag like a proud flag.

"Ethan?" I called softly, scanning the cubicles.

He emerged from an office, his expression caught between surprise and embarrassment. "Amelia! What are you doing here?"

"I brought you lunch," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I thought you might be hungry."

A woman with sleek blonde hair and a tailored suit gave me a curious look. "Ethan, you never mentioned your wife was so thoughtful."

Ethan's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Amelia's always taking care of me."

"Well, don't let me interrupt," I said, handing him the bag. "I just wanted to make sure you ate something decent."

As I turned to leave, I caught the approving glances from his colleagues. The devoted wife, they were thinking. So caring. So attentive.

If only they knew.

---

The security guard nodded me through after I mentioned Ethan's name again. As I waited for the elevator, a man in an impeccable charcoal suit approached.

"Mrs. Hayes?" he asked, his voice polite but reserved. "Mark Chen, Mr. Blackwood's assistant."

"Nice to meet you," I replied, shaking his hand. "I'm just leaving—I brought Ethan his lunch."

Mark's eyebrows rose slightly. "That's very considerate of you."

"He works so hard," I said with a practiced smile. "I don't want him skipping meals."

Something flickered in Mark's eyes—recognition, perhaps. He'd probably seen me at company functions before.

"Mr. Hayes is fortunate to have such a caring wife," he commented, holding the elevator door for me.

The words struck me like a physical blow. Fortunate. Right. Ethan was so fortunate to have me—the wife who cooked his meals and ironed his shirts and believed every lie he told her.

"Thank you," I managed, stepping into the elevator. "That's very kind of you to say."

As the doors closed, I caught Mark watching me with an unreadable expression. Did he know something? Could he somehow sense the storm raging beneath my calm exterior?

"Mrs. Hayes," he said quickly before the doors sealed shut. "Perhaps you'd like to join Mr. Hayes for lunch sometime? I'm sure Mr. Blackwood would appreciate meeting you properly."

I nodded automatically, my mind racing. Meeting Damien Blackwood—Ethan's boss—could be useful. Very useful indeed.

"Yes," I replied as the elevator began its descent. "I'd like that very much."

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