Chapter 5
Day seven. Ryan came home.
I’d cooked a full meal. Jamie sat at the table, waiting for Dad.
“Mommy, when’s Daddy getting here?”
“Soon.”
The door opened. Ryan dragged his suitcase in, tired smile on his face.
“Honey, you must be exhausted.” I walked over, took his coat.
“Yeah, it was rough. Hawaii was so hot.” He loosened his tie. “But the scenery was incredible. Next time I’ll take you and Jamie.”
“Sounds great.” I smiled. “I made your favorite-lasagna.”
“Really? Amazing. I’ve been craving your cooking.”
He walked to the table, picked up Jamie. “Did you miss Daddy?”
“Nope.” Jamie was honest.
Ryan laughed awkwardly, set him down, sat down to eat.
“Oh, got you a souvenir.” He pulled a box from his suitcase, handed it to me.
I opened it. A scarf. Tacky pattern. Obviously cheap duty-free shop junk.
“Thanks, honey.”
“Like it?”
“Love it.”
Ryan relaxed, started eating.
I sat across from him, watching, smile never leaving my face.
LV, diamond necklace VS my cheap scarf.
So pathetic I am.
After dinner, Ryan said he wanted to shower.
“Honey, you left your phone on the table.”
“Oh, thanks.”
He grabbed it, headed to the bathroom.
I cleared the dishes, walked into the kitchen, pulled out my phone, texted Ms. Hartley.
[He’s back.]
Ms. Hartley: [When are you confronting him?]
[Tomorrow. Gonna catch him off guard.]
Ms. Hartley: [Okay. I’ll be there with you.]
[No need. I can handle it.]
Ms. Hartley: [You sure, Ms. Morgan?]
[Positive. I’m ending this marriage myself.]
Ms. Hartley sent a thumbs-up. [You’re a badass.]
Badass?
I didn’t know about that.
I called Ms. Hartley. “Tonight. I’m confronting him.”
“Okay. Call me if anything comes up.”
“Will do.”
I hung up, started preparing.
Printed everything:
Credit card statements
Hotel booking records
HR testimony recording
PI’s video footage
Recovered chat logs
One by one, slid them into folders.
Then I called Cassie. “Can you come over today? Watch Jamie for me.”
“Showdown time?”
“Yeah.”
“On my way.”
That afternoon, Cassie took Jamie out.
I sat in the living room, spread all the evidence across the table, and waited.
6 PM. The door opened.

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