---- Chapter 7 Joshua stepped out of the car and was immediately engulfed by Ella's embrace. "Honey, you're finally here! | worked hard to book this hotel, and I've set up the room perfectly. You're going to love it," she said, blowing softly behind his ear, a spot she knew drove him wild. Joshua grinned with anticipation. "| pushed back my plans with Kathleen to be here. You better make it worth it." They entered the reserved room, where Ella had prepared several outfits-uniforms and lingerie Joshua liked. He tossed her onto the bed eagerly, shedding his suit jacket. A jewelry box fell out, the birthday gift meant for Kathleen. He hesitated for two seconds but didn't pick it up. Instead, he pressed himself over Ella with a smile. He'd be a little late, but Kathleen wouldn't mind. He didn't expect Ella to be insatiable, more intense than ever. She consumed his thoughts, pushing Kathleen to the back of his mind. "Honey, | sent Tara to my mom's. Stay tonight," Ella said, clinging to his neck, her voice coy. ---- She waited five years and refused to let him go again. She bore his daughter, while Kathleen only took from him. Why should Kathleen monopolize Joshua, leaving her and their daughter as shameful secrets? She wasn't content with that. Joshua's eyes half-closed. The night was thrilling, yet an uneasy feeling nagged at him. He glanced at his watch. Midnight. He suddenly remembered Kathleen was likely still waiting at the restaurant. He bolted upright. "| have to go." Ella grabbed his hand. "l won't let you. Can't you stay one night?" Tears glistened in her eyes, irritating Joshua. She wasn't like this before. "Ella, don't push it. Kathleen's my wife. It's her birthday. | have to go back," he said. Ignoring her protests, he dressed and rushed out. Ella's eyes blazed red with anger, then she smirked. "Go back, Joshua. Kathleen won't forgive you. You're mine and our daughter's." She picked up her phone. She had recorded their afternoon together and planned to send it to Kathleen to shatter their ---- marriage for good. The midnight roads were quiet. Joshua sped through red lights. For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt toward Kathleen. He told her he was busy, and she hadn't called once. He'd make it up to her when he saw her. "Sir, we're closing," a waiter said, stopping Joshua at the restaurant. "I'm looking for my wife. | booked a room. She's waiting inside," Joshua replied. The waiter frowned at the room number. "Sir, that room was reserved by you, but no one came to dine tonight. No lady, either." Joshua froze. He had told Kathleen to wait here. She wouldn't have skipped it. "Impossible. It's my wife's birthday. We planned this. She's waiting." He pushed past the waiter, jogging to the private room. He opened the door to darkness. The flowers and cake he arranged sat untouched on the table. "My wife... she never came?" Joshua asked, unease creeping in. Kathleen never broke plans. Even when he was late, she always waited. What happened today? "Sir, I've told you multiple times. No one came," the waiter ---- repeated. Joshua pulled out his phone to call her, only to find it dead. He didn't grab the cake, sprinting outside instead. Kathleen must have called. He was careless, not noticing his phone died. Maybe she came, didn't see him, and went home. That had to be it. He drove, clutching the necklace, picturing Kathleen's joy when she saw it. He didn't know an empty, cold house awaited him.