Chapter 1

On our seventh wedding anniversary, I found a hotel key card in my husband's pants pocket.

A quick scan on my phone confirmed it: the city's best-known adults-only fantasy hotel.

But we haven't had sex for three years.

I clenched my fists, my heart aching, but I kept my temper.

I silently slipped the key card back into his pocket.

Then, using his phone, I sent out a group message:

"It's my birthday tomorrow! The party's at the Velvet Ember Hotel, Room 520. Anyone who's late can't call themselves a friend!"

The next day, my husband rushed into the room and started stripping.

He came face-to-face with his entire office.

Chapter 1

The moment I saw that key card, my finger froze in midair above the washing machine button.

A thousand thoughts crashed through my mind at once.

Had he booked a room? When? Who was he with? A friend? A coworker? Or...

I shook my head hard, trying to shut those thoughts down.

We'd always been happy. Seven years together. How could it be?

Water splashed in the bathroom as my husband, Derek Hayes, soaked in the tub, humming as usual.

When he came out, he kissed my forehead, his expression so calm it made me wonder if I was overthinking everything.

Seven years of marriage. Every payday, he transferred his whole check to me on time. He always told me where he was going without being asked.

What could a key card really prove? Maybe he'd been entertaining a client. Maybe he'd booked it for a friend.

He didn't even have a female assistant. Every person on his team was a man.

I actually laughed at myself.

Audrey, Audrey. You've been reading too much online drama.

But just as I picked up those pants to toss them into the washing machine, the bathroom door flew open.

Derek came running out barefoot, hair still dripping, face slick with sweat.

"Babe! Have you washed those pants yet?"

Panic sharpened his voice. He sounded like a man with a secret to protect.

I pushed the key card deep into the pocket. By the time I looked up, my face was perfectly composed.

"Not yet. I was just checking the pockets.

"Why? I always do laundry at this time."

A thin sheen of sweat broke out across Derek's face, and his words came out in a stammer.

"It's just... I, I just remembered I need these for a meeting tomorrow. Don't wash them yet."

He snatched the pants and dug frantically through the pockets.

The instant he found the key card, he visibly relaxed.

Then he turned around and pulled me into his arms, pressing his lips to my forehead.

"You work so hard, babe. You're always stuck doing all this.

"Get some rest tonight. I'll take care of the laundry later."

Wrapped in his arms, I breathed in the same body-wash scent he always wore.

Hidden inside my sleeve, my hand curled into a fist.

Something was off.

Everything about this was wrong.

In all our years of marriage, he'd never washed a single pair of socks on his own.

And today, over a pair of pants, he'd grabbed them away and sweet-talked me. He'd gone to an awful lot of trouble.

That could only mean he was hiding something from me.

I playfully punched his arm, keeping my voice light, like I was joking.

"Fine, don't wash them. You're acting like you've got someone on the side and you're scared of getting caught."

Derek flinched like I'd hit a nerve, and his voice shot up.

"How could you even say that? We've been married this long and you still don't trust me?

"You're suspicious of everything! If you're that bored, go to bed!"

He slammed the bathroom door shut, and the sound of running water started up again.

The louder he got, the guiltier he sounded.

I stood outside the door, staring at that frosted glass, and slowly let the smile fall from my face.

Chapter 2

Back in the bedroom, my hands were shaking.

The first thing I did was pull out my phone and search the hotel's name.

The results made my stomach turn.

The Velvet Ember Hotel, ranked first in the city for its adults-only fantasy suites.

The suites featured specialty sex chairs and mirrored ceilings.

But we haven't had sex for three years.

After our daughter, Lily, was born, Derek started avoiding me.

When I tried to get close, he said he was tired. When I bought new lingerie, he said he wasn't in the mood.

Eventually I looked in the mirror and saw the stretch marks on my belly and the C-section scar, and I understood.

I didn't blame him. Men were visual creatures.

For Lily's sake, life had to go on. As long as his heart was still with our family, that was enough.

But that key card made it impossible to keep lying to myself.

I tiptoed to the bathroom door and swiped his phone from the entryway console.

The fingerprint lock opened. Mine still worked.

Was that reassuring, or just pathetic?

His call log was spotless. His texts looked clean too.

But when I opened his order history, my fingers started trembling.

In six months, he'd made thirty-seven hotel bookings.

I scrolled through three pages of adult purchases and still hadn't reached the end.

The list included lubricant, condoms, a bunny outfit, and one sex toy after another...

Each transaction showed a name I didn't recognize.

I crouched in the dark living room and finally broke down.

I wanted to storm into the bathroom and smash his phone against his face. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.

I wanted to throw divorce papers right in his face.

But I didn't move.

Because I'd figured something out: divorce would be letting him off too easy.

He'd walk away with half of everything and keep living it up with the other woman.

But what about Lily and me? All we'd get for the rest of our lives would be pain.

Our family would be shattered, and strangers would point fingers behind our backs.

Why should we suffer? He was the one who'd messed up!

I wanted him ruined. Completely. I wanted him to give up every last cent.

I wanted him to regret ever meeting me for the rest of his miserable life!

Just as I was gripping his phone and planning my next move, a text popped up at the top of the screen.

"You're so bad... you rubbed me raw down there!"

Then another one right after. "You owe me ten kisses when we meet tomorrow!"

And a final one. "Tomorrow night, eight o'clock, our usual spot. I've got a surprise waiting for you."

Unknown number. No contact name saved.

The chat history was wiped clean, as always.

I took a deep breath. Instead of crying, I laughed.

If they loved sneaking around that much, I'd let them have their fill.

Chapter 3

I used his phone to screenshot every order and every hotel booking.

I saved them all to my cloud storage.

Then I opened his office group chat. Eighty-seven people, from senior managers down to interns.

I typed out a message:

"Tomorrow night at nine, it's my birthday. The party's at the Velvet Ember Hotel, Room 520.

"Don't be late. Anyone who skips is dead to me."

Within five minutes, replies flooded the screen. "Got it." "Wouldn't miss it." "It's Derek's birthday. Of course we're coming."

I deleted the group thread from his phone and marked the new texts unread again.

I put the phone back where I'd found it, returned to bed, and pulled Lily close as she slept.

Her little hand rested against my cheek, warm and soft.

When Derek came out of the bathroom, he was whistling, his steps light and bouncy.

Through the crack in the door, I watched him pick up his phone, the corner of his mouth curling up.

In that moment, the last shred of softness in my heart shattered completely.

I got up and walked to the doorway, my voice calm.

"Honey, tomorrow you're—"

"Tomorrow I've got a client dinner. I'll be home late. Don't wait up."

He didn't even look up. His eyes were glued to the screen.

I unclenched my fists.

Fine, then.

"Take care of yourself. Don't drink too much."

Only then did Derek raise his head. He smiled and pulled me into his arms.

"You're the best, babe. Marrying you was the greatest gift of my life."

I leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady and strong.

A slow smile crept across my face.

Oh, your gift is coming. Just you wait.

The next morning, I dropped Lily off at my mother's house and made up an excuse about meeting friends.

At eight o'clock sharp, I sat in the coffee shop across from the Velvet Ember Hotel.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watched Derek climb out of a taxi.

He had a new haircut, wore cologne, and carried a massive bouquet of roses.

He walked with a spring in his step, glowing like a man in the first rush of love.

Who would've guessed he was on his way to meet the other woman?

I followed him in, phone clenched in my hand, heart pounding with equal parts nerves and fury.

The instant he unlocked Room 520, a pair of arms reached through the gap and wrapped around his neck.

Two legs locked around his waist.

Their bodies crashed together, lips sealed against lips, making the kind of wet sounds that turned my stomach.

I pressed my back against the hallway corner, shaking with rage.

That same mouth had kissed my forehead last night. It had kissed Lily's cheek.

Just looking at them now made me want to throw up.

But I held it together.

If I charged in now, all I'd get was a fight. What I needed was evidence.

Derek carried the woman inside, kicking the door closed behind him with his toe. But it didn't shut all the way, leaving a sliver of a gap.

I slipped over and wedged my shoe against the door frame.

Chapter 4

Inside, the lights were dimmed to a hazy amber glow. The two of them tumbled onto the bed.

Derek's hand was already sliding under her dress.

The woman whined in a breathy, coy voice.

"Stop it... let's go to the back. What if someone sees..."

Derek hoisted her onto his hips and carried her toward the foot of the bed.

Without lowering her, he kicked the door nearly shut.

I crouched low against the wall and slid my phone camera through the gap in the door.

The angle was awkward. I couldn't get a clear shot of the woman's face. But the audio came through crystal clear.

They made out for a while, but without protection, they didn't dare go all the way.

So they just lay there tangled together, talking.

"You sneak out to hook up with me every day. Doesn't your wife suspect anything?"

Derek kissed her and grinned smugly.

"We've been married long enough. She trusts me."

The woman scoffed, poking a finger into his chest.

"She's had you for years. What about me? You were my first. When are you going to take responsibility for us?"

Derek hesitated for a second, then started sweet-talking her.

"You know how it is. I've got a daughter. Divorce isn't that simple..."

"But ever since I met you, I haven't even touched her. Doesn't that prove something?"

His hands started wandering again, and the woman giggled and burrowed under the covers.

They were a tangled, panting mess.

I bit my lip and kept recording. The camera didn't waver.

Then his phone rang. Their online order had arrived.

Derek patted her butt and stood up. "Wait here. I'll take care of you when I get back."

The woman called back, "I'll be waiting. I've got a surprise for you..."

I checked the time on my phone. Nine o'clock on the dot.

My surprise was right on schedule too.

I strolled down to the lobby, where Derek was holding a black plastic bag.

At the same moment, the revolving door spun and more than ten people poured into the lobby.

Every one of them was his coworker.

Men and women. Some carried a cake, some brought gift boxes, and others already had their phones out, ready to take pictures for Instagram.

Derek turned around and went white as a sheet.

"Wh... what are you all doing here?!"

He instinctively hid the bag behind his back and forced a smile.

His coworkers exchanged confused glances.

"Derek, didn't you invite us? You said it's your birthday!"

"My birthday? Me? When did I ever..."

The words died halfway out.

His gaze had landed on me.

Chapter 5

I walked through the crowd toward him, wearing a brilliant smile as if I'd truly come to celebrate.

"Honey, what are you doing standing around down here? Everyone came out to celebrate! Don't just stand there."

I held up my phone, pointed the camera at him, and started a livestream.

"Hey, girls! Today I'm showing you the surprise my husband planned for me.

"He secretly booked an adults-only suite for us. After all these years of marriage, a little romance never hurts."

The comments were flying across the screen.

Derek's face went from red to white to a sickly gray, as if someone had a hand around his throat.

"You... you brought them here?!"

I tilted my head and smiled even sweeter.

"Of course! What's the problem? You booked this room. Isn't it supposed to be a surprise for me?

"I thought the more the merrier, so I invited everyone.

"Don't play dumb. I saw the key card last night! I kept it to myself to play along."

"After all, yesterday was our seventh anniversary, and you didn't even get me a gift. Obviously you were saving it for tonight, right?"

I reached for the plastic bag in his hands.

"Come on, honey, is that my present behind your back? What is it? Why so secretive—"

Derek fumbled, and the black plastic bag slipped from his grip.

Everything inside spilled across the floor.

Condoms. Lubricant. A black leather whip. And a pair of fuzzy handcuffs.

The air went dead silent.

His coworkers stood there slack-jawed, not knowing where to look.

The comments exploded.

"Oh my God, that's wild!"

"This couple's got some serious kinks!"

"Wait... look at his face. That stuff clearly wasn't meant for her..."

Derek's hands were shaking. His voice was shaking too.

"Babe, I'm begging you... can we just go home?"

I looked into those pleading eyes and thought about last night, when he'd held another woman and said, "We've been married long enough."

Something inside me snapped, then pulled itself back together.

It came back stronger than before.

"You came all this way. Why not come upstairs for a while? Besides, walking out now would be awfully rude to Derek."

At that point, his coworkers were stuck. Couldn't leave, couldn't stay.

Derek was herded into the elevator, sweat beading across his forehead.

At the door to Room 520, he stopped dead.

"Oh no, I forgot my key card... hold on, let me get another one from the front desk."

I pressed a hand to his shoulder and pulled the key card from my own pocket.

"No need. I know you're forgetful, so I got an extra key card from the front desk."

I smiled at him and tapped the card against the sensor.