As Christmas approached, the beauty center I frequented had no private rooms available. The beautician asked if I minded sharing a room. I thought it wasn't a big deal and agreed.
The person sharing the room with me was a young woman who looked somewhat familiar.
When paying, the woman was told that her card balance was insufficient. "Babe, my beauty card doesn't have enough money," the woman said coquettishly into her phone.
"Baby, wait a moment. I'll transfer some money to you right now. Will 20,000 be enough?" A pampering male voice came through the phone, sounding exactly like my husband, Dexter Keaton.
As I chuckled inwardly, thinking I was being overly suspicious, my phone buzzed with a message: [20,000 deducted from my account.] At that moment, I felt as if I had fallen into an icy abyss, my entire body cold.
——
Christmas trees lined the streets, adorned with various sparkling decorations, but my mind was blank, I was unable to feel any festive joy. After leaving the beauty center, I sat in my car for a long time.
Dexter and I had been together since our school days, from uniforms to wedding dresses. I couldn't believe that someone who cared for me so meticulously every day could betray me.
Yet, I had to admit that ten years of love had ultimately lost to the temptations of the outside world. I closed my eyes and let the tears silently fall.
I didn't know how long I cried until the tears dried up. Wiping away the traces of tears on my face, I took out my phone and called my lawyer, "Mr. Vaughn, please draft a divorce agreement for me …"
After hanging up, I touched up my makeup until there was no sign I had cried, then drove home. Dexter should have already been home, his car was parked in the adjacent space.
Using a spare key, I opened his car and began searching for any suspicious traces. However, Dexter was meticulous. The dashcam's records had been completely erased and the car was cleaned spotless, leaving no trace.
Disappointed, I was about to get out when I noticed a small piece of transparent plastic under the passenger seat. My heart sank.
Judging by its shape, if I wasn't mistaken, it was the plastic outer wrapping of a condom package.
When I returned upstairs, I acted as though nothing had happened and opened the door.
Dexter was cooking in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, he leaned halfway out and greeted me as usual, "You're back! Wash your hands, dinner's almost ready."
As he spoke, he kept moving, deftly plating the stir-fried dishes. When he came out of the kitchen holding a plate and saw me barefoot, his expression darkened.
Placing the plate on the dining table, Dexter frowned and walked over, "How many times have I told you? You have a cold constitution, don't walk barefoot on the floor."
Though his words carried disapproval, his actions were gentle as he helped me put on slippers. I stood there stiffly, my eyes stinging. Who would have thought that such a gentle, considerate and thoughtful husband would cheat?
Noticing my reddened eyes, Dexter asked, "What's wrong?"
I blinked hard, forcing back the tears threatening to fall and smiled, "Nothing."
Dexter thought I was touched and smiled, his lips curling upward as he affectionately ruffled my hair, "Silly woman."
I chuckled bitterly in my heart. Yes, I was a complete fool.
I carefully observed Dexter's expression. His eyes were sincere, I couldn't detect even a trace of deceit or pretense. During dinner, he continued, as always, to keep adding food to my plate.
