Rhys never used electric toothbrushes.
In their first year of marriage, Clara had excitedly bought a matching couple's set—items costing several hundred dollars. He had thrown his into the back of the storage cabinet without even opening the package.
His reason: "The vibration is too strong. It feels like a jackhammer in my mouth."
Even when Clara pleaded and acted cute, saying it was a couple's thing, he had simply replied, "That's your romance, not mine."
Since then, such devices had never appeared in their home.
Now, a strange white electric toothbrush stood there.
It was placed right next to Rhys's blue cup. There was a wet ring at the bottom of the cup, and the brush head was damp.
This meant that not long ago—perhaps yesterday or today—someone had used her husband's cup, washed up in her bathroom, and fixed their makeup in front of the mirror Clara used every day.
If it had been physical infidelity, like messy sheets, Clara might have just felt disgusted and dirty.
But this kind of domestic intrusion made her hair stand on end more than direct betrayal.
It meant Rhys had brought Margot home.
Not just to sit and have tea.
He had let her stay the night, allowed her to leave such a personal item here, placed alongside his things.
Even in ancient times, a mistress wouldn't make herself at home this easily, would she?
While Clara was agonizing over this marriage, Margot had long since taken the keys and marched right in.
Clara couldn't help but scoff aloud.
Clara let out a derisive snort. She pulled out her phone and took a picture of the sink. It was standard procedure — preserve the evidence.
The sound of the door lock clicked, followed by the noise of shoes being changed in the entryway.
Clara put away her phone and walked out of the bathroom just as Rhys flipped the living room light switch.
The lights flared on. Rhys saw her standing there and paused.
"Why are you back? Didn't I tell you to stay at Mom and Dad's?"


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