Chapter 2 Tommy's eyes darted away as he turned off the faucet . The sudden silence in the kitchen was suffocating . " What wild ideas are you getting into now ? " He walked over and tried to take my hand , but I pulled away . His hand froze awkwardly in midair , and his face stretched into a tired , forced smile . " I know what Mom said upset you , but she was drunk . You and Jessica are sisters . What's so strange if Marvy happens to look like his aunt ? " He was trying to sound reasonable and calm me down . Maybe once upon a time , I would have believed him . But not tonight . " Is that so ? " I fixed my eyes on him . " Tell me , why did you suddenly transfer 30,000 dollars to Jessica last month ? " His facial expression changed instantly . " How did you find out ? " he blurted . I let out a cold laugh . We were husband and wife . His bank card was linked to my phone number . Every significant transaction would trigger a text notification . I never paid much attention before because I trusted him . But the moment Margaret spoke those words , every little thing I had ignored replayed in my head like a film . That transfer was one of them . 0.00 % 11:55 Chapter 2 Back then , he told me Jessica had been tricked by a boyfriend , left with a mountain of online debt , and he couldn't just stand by as her brother - in- law . And I believed him . Worried , I even called Jessica . She cried into the phone , insisting she was fine and the debt was cleared . Looking back , that performance deserved an award . " Don't misunderstand ! " Tommy stepped closer , rushing to explain . " That money really was- " " To pay off her debt ? " I finished for him . He nodded forcefully , as if clinging to an excuse . " Yes ! That's exactly it ! She's just a young woman trying to make it on her own . I didn't want you to worry , so I didn't tell you everything . " What a thoughtful brother - in - law . What a considerate husband . I watched him defend himself , my heart colder than ice . " Tommy , we've been married five years . " My voice was steady . " When did you start lying to me ? " He froze . " I haven't- " " You have . " I cut him off . "You can't even look me in the eye when you lie , " 11.56 D Chapter 2 His head dropped , and he said nothing . 1st Vouchers I took a deep breath , forcing down the metallic taste rising in my throat . " I won't press you about that money . " He looked up , relief flickering in his eyes . " I only have one condition , " I said . " From now on , Jessica shouldn't come to our house so often . The relief on his face faltered , replaced by a faint , nervous tension . " Why ? She's your sister- " Exactly . She's my sister . And I don't want our relationship ruined by unnecessary misunderstandings . " I stared at him , struck by how clear and certain he sounded . " Can you agree to that ? " His mouth opened like he wanted to argue , but under my cold stare , he finally nodded reluctantly . " Alright ... " That night was the first time we slept in separate rooms since our wedding . I stayed in Marvin's room . I cradled his warm little body , sleepless through the night . In the darkness , my eyes stayed open as I replayed everything over and over . I thought about the year Jessica had just graduated from college . She had no place to stay at the time and lived with us for six months . 11.56.00 Chapter 2 288 Vouchers During that time , Tommy treated her better than he treated me . He would make her an extra sandwich in the morning , sit with her at night , watching her favorite dramas . I thought it was just kindness - that he was treating my sister as his own . Later , in the last months of my pregnancy , when I was heavy and irritable , it was Jessica who stayed by my side every day . She massaged my swollen feet , walked with me , and showed more patience than my own husband . When I was in labor , she cried harder than anyone outside the delivery room . After Marvin was born , she practically lived at our house , arms full of toys and clothes for him . Everyone praised me for having such a wonderful sister . And I believed it . I felt lucky . But now , every tender memory stabbed like a knife , slicing me open over and over . When did it start between them ? Was it that year she stayed in our home ? Or even earlier ? The sister I cherished , the husband I trusted - how could they ? How dare they ? The next morning , I acted as if nothing had happened and made breakfast . Tommy emerged from the study , dark circles under his eyes betraying his exhaustion . He sat down at the dining table , carefully watching my face . " Honey , are you still mad ? " I pushed the glass of milk toward him and smiled softly . 62.93 % 11.56 Chapter 2 288 Vouchers " No. I've thought it through . Mom was right . We're all family , so it makes sense that Marvy looks like Jess . " He visibly relaxed . " I'm glad you see it that way . " I nodded , sipping my oatmeal , and casually brought up , " By the way , Marv's hair has gotten a bit long . I want to take him for a trim . There's a small birthmark on the back of his head , and the barber keeps nicking it . I want someone more careful this time . " As I spoke , I gently plucked a few strands of hair from his head . " Look at this . The texture is so thick and black , just like yours . " I rolled the strands between my fingers , then slid them into a transparent ziplock bag right in front of him . 11-5080