Who Exposed My Husband's Affair? The Super Bowl novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Super Bowl Sunday. My husband, Wall Street’s golden boy, scored an invitation to the big game–luxury box seats, the works.

Problem was, he only got one extra ticket. Couldn’t bring me and our son.

I told him it was fine, really. No big deal.

Then spent the whole game glued to the TV, scanning the luxury boxes for his face.

light when the halftime show started, my son suddenly screamed, “Mom! I see Aunt Chloe!”

there, in the corner of the screen during a crowd shot, sat my husband Grayson next to my stepsister, shoulders practically touching.

He leaned in close, whispering something in her ear over the roar of the crowd.

They both laughed, looking way too cozy together.

My smile froze.

My phone lit up.

Message from Grayson’s business partner, Ivy.

Hey, Sutton! Feeling any better?”

Grayson said you were really sick–such a bummer you couldn’t make it!”

He got you this signed jersey from that quarterback you love! Get well soon!”

Below was an autographed jersey from the NFL star I’d been obsessed with for years.

Really sick?

stared at those words. Twisted. Ridiculous.

What are you talking about?”

Huh? Grayson said you were running a crazy high fever, completely wiped out. That’s why he had to give your ticket to your tepsister. Everyone at the office was saying how sweet he was about the whole thing.”

My grip tightened on the phone. My fingers went numb, started shaking.

My husband–Mr. Honest, the guy who felt guilty jaywalking–had learned to lie this smoothly.

Him and Chloe. When the hell did they get this close?

I forced my head up. The broadcast had just cut to the luxury boxes.

0.006

The quarterback finished signing autographs, glanced between Grayson and Chloe, and casually said, “Mr. Hayes, you and your wife must be enjoying the show.”

Chloe ducked her head with this shy smile. “We are, thank you.”

And Grayson? Faced with this obvious mistake?

Just pressed his lips together, looking slightly awkward.

He didn’t correct it. He let everyone think Chloe was his wife.

On TV, the halftime show exploded across the screen in a riot of lights and music.

But I felt ice crawling up my spine and settling in my chest.

3 AM. The lock clicked.

Grayson was home.

The second he flipped on the light and saw me sitting there in the dark, he froze.

Then he walked over, his voice carrying that gentle concern.

“Why are you sitting in the dark? It’s so late–I told you not to wait up for me.”

He complained about the nightmare traffic after the show ended.

Shrugged off his cold coat while reaching for my hand.

“Your hands are freezing.”

He wrapped my hands in his warm ones, trying to warm me up.

Everything seemed normal.

He was still the caring husband.

But I caught it–that sickly sweet scent clinging to his clothes.

Peach blossom perfume. Chloe’s signature scent.

I was done playing along.

I yanked my hand back. “Why did you give my ticket to Chloe?”

Grayson’s expression hardened, the warmth draining from his face.

“Sutton, what’s that supposed to mean? You don’t trust me?”

He sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’m exhausted. It’s Super Bowl Sunday. Can we not fight? Marriage is about trust—”

His words died when I held up my phone.

Who Exposed My Husband’s Affair? The Super Bowl!

0.29%

The seven glowed pate in the darkness, showing my entire conversation with Ivy.

He pressed his lips together awkwardly. “She’s you sister. There was only one extra ticket. Does it really matter who I gave it to?

“She’s NOT my sister?”

I practically screamed it, everything I’d been holding back all night finally exploding.

Anyone but her! Grayson, you KNOW that!”

Grayson stared at me coldly, like I was a stranger. Like I was some unhinged person having a breakdown.

“Sutton, this is pathetic.”

“You’re losing it over nothing. You sound insane.”

His irritation hit me like ice water dumped over my head.

All my anger just… stopped. Left me frozen.

stared at him, really seeing him. This person in front of me–I didn’t know him anymore.

He must have noticed how tense things got, because he softened his tone, trying to smooth things over.

Okay, okay. Don’t be upset. I know Chloe used to be difficult, but she’s changed. Can’t you just let it go?”

Difficult.”

That’s what he called ten years of hell from Chloe and her mother.

n that house, I wasn’t allowed to score higher than Chloe on tests.

couldn’t own anything Chloe didn’t have.

The slightest thing that upset her meant punishment–doors locked, no witnesses.

igarette burns in places no one would see. Needles shoved under my fingernails.

idden spots on my body, new wounds covering old ones. Never fully healed.

tried telling Dad.

le’d just wave it off. “It’s hard for me too. They won’t go too far. Just deal with it.”

hey were smart about it. Never touched my face.

Every mark hidden under baggy clothes, haunting me through my entire teenage years.

Entil Grayson showed up.

Chapter!

It was Grayson kicked my door open.

Grabbed a kitchen knife, planted himself in front of me, and screamed at them, “If you touch her again, I swear to God I’ll kill you

both”

First time anyone had ever protected me like that.

He was my hero. The light that pulled me out of the darkness.

And now? My hero was casually telling me to forgive and forget.

That I shouldn’t care.

♡ (1)