Elaine's POV
Milton’s expression shifted slightly when he heard me, and his voice softened a little.
“That’s a good thing. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
I gave him a small smile. “I wanted to surprise you.” I paused, my smile turning bitter. “Though looking at it now, maybe it was more of a shock.”
Maybe my sarcasm had finally gotten under his skin. He raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose and let out a long, tired sigh.
“Elaine, I already explained everything to you. Why won’t you believe me?”
His tone was sincere. There wasn’t even a trace of guilt in his voice.
Before, whenever he showed the slightest hint of frustration, I’d fold, apologize, and back down, even if none of it was my fault.
But this time, it was different.
I lowered my eyes, trying to hide the sting behind them. My voice trembled as I choked out the words, “Milton, if the two of you really had nothing to hide, then why didn’t you go to the hospital near her home? You couldn’t, could you? Because that’s where I used to work. You were scared I’d find out.”
The room went quiet.
He stared at me, mouth twitching slightly like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
In that heavy silence, I spoke again, my voice hoarse and cracked as I said, “I think we need some space. Let’s separate for a while and cool off.”
I thought he might agree.
But instead, he let out a tired sigh and said, “What about our daughter? How are you going to explain it to her? Elaine, it’s time to grow up. Sometimes being smart isn’t always a good thing. Think about the kid. Don’t be so stubborn.”
His words hit me like a truck.
My ears rang, and my mind went blank. I don’t even remember what I said back.
All I know was, before he left, he said, “I’ll stay at a hotel for now. Just tell our daughter I’m on a business trip, teaching at a university out of town.”
I didn't even remember how I got home.
Next thing I knew, I was sitting on the edge of my daughter’s bed, watching her sleep peacefully, so sweet and innocent.
And I was a mess inside.
Should I really give in?
For her sake, for our family’s sake, should I just pretend everything’s okay and accept Milton’s betrayal?
Was that really the right thing to do?
Even when I stepped out of her room, I still didn’t have an answer.
I was sitting on the couch in the living room, lost in thought, when my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Laura.
[Elaine, don’t think you’ve won.]
[You can only scare me. What good does that do? I just cried a little, and Milton had already arranged a full check-up for me. He even stayed with me the whole time.]
[Want to see something fun? Let me show you what that perfect little marriage of yours really looks like on the inside. It’s more broken than you think.]
Then came dozens of explicit, vulgar photos, and a voice recording.
I hit play.
The room was dead silent as Milton’s voice filled the air, low, strained, trying to stay in control.
“Arch your back a little more.”
Then came another voice, sweet and whimpering, like she was both flirting and begging.
“Mr. West… I was wrong. Please, be gentle.”
His voice again, hoarse and full of lust.
“Shut up. Don’t overact.”
“You don’t like it?”
But there was no longer an answer, only action.
What followed was unmistakable. The kind of sounds no wife should ever have to hear her husband make with someone else.
Even so, I forced myself to keep listening.
At some point, Laura’s voice, trembling and full of emotion, broke through.
“You’re leaving again? You never spend the night. If you love your wife so much, if you’re so loyal to Elaine, then why are you still sleeping with me?”
The silence stretched afterward, so I thought the recording had ended.
But the progress bar kept moving.
Then, his voice came again.
“Elaine is a gynecologist. She touches those things every day. I can’t help but feel… she’s a little dirty.”
