Chapter 1 Emily's POV +5 Bonus I was packing my husband's suitcase and found a box of used condoms in the pocket . I open the box and find only four condoms even though the box says it's a pack of six . A wave of nausea washes over me as I sink onto the floor in - disbelief I'm afraid of what this means . Ten years of good , solid marriage . We'd gotten comfortable , perhaps too comfortable , but still , I thought we had true love . Louis wouldn't throw it all away on some random business trip , right ? " Babe ? I'm home ! " Louis ' voice rang through the house , smooth and confident , like it always did . I shoved the box back into the suitcase pocket with shaking hands , snapped the zipper shut , and forced myself to stand . 1/7 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus I met him in the foyer , where he dropped his briefcase and smiled , that wide , boyish grin that once made me weak in the knees . " Hey , there's my girl . " He pulled me into his arms , and I stiffened before I could stop myself . His cologne , the one I'd picked for him years ago , smelled cloying now- familiar , but wrong somehow . " Hey , I love you , " he murmured , pressing his lips to mine . It was slow . Gentle . Perfect . Perfect . The word made me want to scream . When he pulled back , I managed a whispered , " I love you , too . " It wasn't a lie . God help me , I still loved him . Maybe that's what made this sting so much . Louis flashed another grin . " Dinner's on me tonight . Special occasion and all . " Right . Our tenth anniversary . A day we were supposed to celebrate , but now I felt like a ghost in my own home . 2/7 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus He turned toward the kitchen , loosening his tie . " Oh , check my suit jacket pocket , " he called over his shoulder . " There's something in there for you . " A gift . My stomach twisted as I walked to the couch where his jacket was draped . My hand hesitated before slipping into the pocket , half - expecting to find something I couldn't handle . Instead , I pulled out a small velvet box - neat , pristine , tied with a golden ribbon . But as I held it , something else clung to my fingers - soft , delicate . I brought it closer and saw it for what it was . A strand of blonde hair . I don't have blonde hair . My throat closed . The perfume hit me next - a faint floral scent , lingering on the fabric . I inhaled 3/7 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus faint floral scent , lingering on the fabric . I inhaled sharply , almost gagging . It wasn't mine . It didn't belong here . I untied the ribbon , hands trembling , and lifted the lid . Inside was a diamond necklace , small and dazzling . If I'd opened it yesterday , I would've cried from joy . Today it felt like a bribe . " You like it ? " Louis called , his voice light and warm . " Hope it's the right style . " I couldn't speak . The walls felt too close . My chest tightened . " I … I'll be right back , I forgot I was supposed to drop something off at Mrs. Smith's , " I mumbled , barely hearing myself . Mrs. Smith was a kind woman who lived just up the street that I would often chat with on my walks . A perfect excuse to get out of there . " What ? " Louis appeared in the doorway , frowning slightly . " Now ? I thought we'd order in , celebrate properly- " 417 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus " I'll be right back , " I cut him off , avoiding his eyes . I grabbed my bag and opened the door , needing to escape before my legs gave out . I pulled out my phone and dialed Maya . " Emily ? " Her voice was bright , almost too cheerful . " Hey , Maya , " I said quietly , my voice raw . " I … I think something's going on with Louis . " There was a pause . " What do you mean? " she asked , tone sharp now . " I found a box of condoms in his suitcase , " I admitted , feeling shame heat my cheeks even though she couldn't see me . " And perfume on his suit jacket . There's … there's blonde hair on it , Maya . I don't know what to think . " " Perfume ? Hair ? " Maya laughed , though there was no humor in it . " Emily , come on . You're 577 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus overthinking . Louis has been working himself to the bone lately . Do you really think he has the energy for an affair ? It's probably nothing . " " But- " " Stop , " she snapped . " Don't ruin your anniversary with … whatever this is . He loves you . Isn't that enough ? " " It doesn't feel like enough , " I whispered , a fist forming in my pocket . " Well , it should be , " Maya replied curtly . Then the line went dead . I stared at my phone , disbelief knotting in my stomach . Maya had never spoken to me like that before . But something in her voice … it didn't sit right . Like she was trying too hard . A passing car pulled me from my thoughts . Louis was undoubtedly suspicious . I turned back toward home hut dread nonlod in my out Thad no 6/7 Chapter 1 +5 Bonus front door , the house felt quieter than before . Louis was upstairs , his footsteps moving lightly across our bedroom floor . By the time I joined him in bed later that night , I was too exhausted to confront him . I slid beneath the covers in silence . Louis shifted , turning to me , his arm pulling me close . " Good night , love , " he murmured sleepily . I stared at the ceiling , the image of that box burned into my mind . Two missing . Two . Louis's arm was warm around me , comforting in its familiarity . I let him hold me , even as every instinct told me to run . At least for tonight , I stayed . At least for tonight , I let myself pretend we were still perfect .