Three years of long-distance marriage. The condo we'd bought as newlyweds was stuck in construction limbo, so for the holidays, all we got was three days together in a hotel room.
After that, we each went back to our own cities.
I was about to book my ticket home when I realized I'd left my portable charger behind. I turned around halfway to the station.
At the hotel front desk, I asked, "I left something in my room. Would it be okay if I went up to grab it?"
The receptionist typed something into her computer, then looked up.
"Room 502 has actually been booked for three months straight. It's under your boyfriend's name. Want to head up and check?"
My stomach dropped.
Three months?
Max had just texted me saying he was already back at his parents' place. He'd even sent a photo to prove it, like he was worried I wouldn't believe him.
In the picture, he was tossing handfuls of grain to the chickens in the yard.
So who was in that hotel room?
——
A cold weight settled in my chest. I walked inside in a daze.
I hadn't even reached Room 502 yet.
But I could already hear them. Muffled, intimate sounds seeping through the door.
A girl giggled, her voice flirtatious and sweet.
"Max, you're so bad."
"You tricked your wife into going home just so I could keep you company here. What, one woman isn't enough for you?"
"Gotta build yourself a whole harem, huh?"
"If Madeline Henson ever found out you lied about your business trip and turned this hotel into your little love nest, she'd lose it."
A soft scoff, and then Max's voice drifted out, lazy and indifferent.
"Her? I got bored of her ages ago."
"I sent her packing early so I could spend real time with you. The next three days? I'm going to make sure you're taken care of, day and night."
The sound of him rolling on top of her.
Then everything behind that door became impossible to describe.
My scalp prickled. I nearly lost it right there in the hallway.
I wanted to kick the door down. I wanted to storm in and demand answers. Why?
Was I not enough for him? Or was lying to me just part of the thrill?
But the moment my hand touched the door, I pulled it back, trembling.
What's the point of making a scene?
I stood outside Room 502 and listened for two full hours.
Every emotion I'd ever felt tangled into a knot I couldn't undo.
Three years married to Max Matthews, and we'd been apart for nearly all of it. Our jobs kept us in different cities. Every reunion was hard-won, and every goodbye came too fast.
I'd treasured every single moment we had together. But looking back, Max had always been... off.
No wonder he'd been making excuses lately. "Babe, I'm exhausted. My back is killing me."
"We're an old married couple. We don't need to do it that often."
"And the whole situation with the condo falling through has me so stressed out. I'm just not in the mood."
I'd look at the fatigue on his face.
Every time, I'd feel sorry for him and back off.
It never occurred to me that he'd been saving his energy for the woman on the side.
Two hours later, my phone buzzed.
A text from Max.
"Baby, I miss you so much."
"It's so boring back home. There's not even a karaoke bar. All I do is lie in bed and sleep."
I stared at those words. My vision blurred, but a cold smile crept across my face.
Boring, huh?
So boring that all he did was stay in bed.
I let out a sharp laugh and hit the video call button.
Chaos erupted on the other end. Max panicked so hard he dropped his phone.
"What's wrong?" the girl whined, pouting.
"Crap. The old ball and chain is video-calling me."
"So pick up." The girl propped her chin on her hand, watching him with amusement.
"Are you kidding me? I just told her I was back home feeding chickens, and I've got a gorgeous woman in my arms. How the hell am I supposed to answer this?"
After a long, agonizing hesitation, Max finally accepted the call.
