Chapter 2 Derek's reply came through [Babe, where's this coming from?] Then he sent one of those sad crying cat memes, followed by: [You know I love you more than anything. I'd never lie to you.] The street noise outside was too loud. He couldn't risk calling me. Couldn't let me hear all that chaos in the background, couldn't let me catch even the slightest hint that something was off. I sat in our taxi, watching the Uber ahead of us where Derek's face flashed with anxiety-right before the girl snatched his phone out of his hands. "Seriously? How much longer are you gonna be glued to that thing?" She looked pissed. "You promised tonight was about me, but you won't stop texting her. So what's the point of us even being together?" "Derek," her voice turned wounded, "how long are you planning to keep this up? Stringing both of us along?" "This whole two women fighting over one man' drama? I'm not here for it. The only reason I'm even putting up with being the other woman is because I love you!" "It's not like I don't have options!" Every single word but my ears crystal clear. I watched the scene unfold through the Uber's window while Maddie absolutely erupted beside me. Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Being homewrecker and playing victim at the same time!" "Putting up with being the other woman? Bitch, without you." Maddie screamed at my phone screen, "he's nothing! If we hadn' Gesagie kan tumigie, who knows how long you would've stayed in the dark!" Maddie's friend was driving that Uber the one carrying my husband and his mistress And Bluese i was in the tax beland them, watching Derek wipe away her tears, tenderly kiss them off her face, and whisper Just give me a line time Things with her they'll end soon" "I know exactly what I'm dang The softness in las expression was unbearable It stabbed straight through me, the pain so sharp I thought I might actually break down right there. 16:19 Dear Huldy, Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Beg Instead of Burn 0.8% Charen 2 very part of me wanted to scream But somehoe, I held it together and turned to Maddie "Record all of this My eyes stayed locked on the screen as the girl pulled Derek into a deep kiss. "I need to find out who she is "If they're heading to a hotel. I met Maddie's eyes, we can get her information from the front desk." "And if Derek thinks he gets to decide how this ends-" "He's dead wrong. I'm ending this Me. Not him." The Uber pulled up in front of a five-star hotel. I watched Derek walk that girl inside-into the exact same hotel I'd booked two months ago. The room with the river view and perfect fireworks sightline that I'd been counting down the days to experience. We'd planned this whole trip together two months back, spent hours mapping everything out. I'd even made a full itinerary-that amazing Korean BBQ place he'd been obsessed with trying, all the best local bars, everything. Back then, Derek had laughed at how prepared I was. "Babe, you're planning this way too far out. What if something comes up? You'll be crushed." I'd shot him a playful glare. "Don't even jinx it!" He'd pretended to zip his lips shut, grinning as he pulled me against his chest. "You're right, you're right. My wife's always right." He'd wrapped his arms around me tight, then nodded toward the bathroom in the hotel photos and murmured, "I want you in that God can you imagine how incredible that would be?" His breath had been warm against my ear. Everyone talks about how even the best relationships hit that seven year wall, you know? How things get boring and stale. Dur lusty, baber? I swear I just love you more every single day" 16:19 Dear Hubby Your Digan