One Saturday, she claimed she needed to “run out for a bit.” Daniel, restless, followed discreetly. His heart pounded as he watched her meet a man outside a café. They hugged briefly before disappearing inside. Daniel’s hands trembled on the steering wheel.
Back home, Claire seemed lighter, humming as she chopped vegetables for dinner. Daniel barely touched his plate. He saw her brightness as gloating, as though she carried a secret she could hardly contain. He excused himself early, retreating upstairs, where the shadows whispered louder than her voice downstairs.