Eliza POV:
I called in sick the next morning. My head throbbed, but it wasn't from a headache. It was from the weight of everything I'd uncovered.
I told Gavin I had a client meeting. He didn' t question it. He just kissed my forehead, told me to feel better, and left for work.
I drove straight to his office building. The gleaming glass tower loomed over me. This was his world. A world I was never allowed to enter.
I waited in the lobby, my heart pounding. I texted Jamie Mason. My old college friend. She worked in HR for Gavin' s company.
Hey, Jamie. Free for coffee? I' m in the area.
Her reply was instant. Eliza! What a surprise! Of course! Give me 10.
Ten minutes later, Jamie appeared, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Eliza! It's been too long!" She hugged me tight. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"
"Just... running some errands," I said, forcing a smile. "Thought I' d swing by and catch up."
We walked to a coffee shop nearby, the air buzzing with the morning rush. Jamie ordered us lattes.
"So, how's Gavin?" Jamie asked, stirring her coffee. "Still the charming workaholic?" She chuckled. "You two are still the picture of stability, aren't you?"
I nodded, a bitter taste in my mouth. "Something like that," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "He's... Gavin."
I took a deep breath. This was it. "Jamie," I began, trying to sound casual, "I had a quick question about company policy. Just out of curiosity."
Jamie raised an eyebrow. "Sure, what's up?"
"Gavin always says spouses aren't allowed at corporate retreats. Or most company events, for that matter," I said, watching her face carefully. "Is that really true?"
Jamie frowned. "What? No, that's not right at all. In fact, it's the opposite. Spouses are almost always invited. Especially to the bigger events, like the annual gala or the Aspen ski trip."
My world tilted again. "He said... there was a very strict policy against it," I whispered, my voice barely steady.
Jamie's expression changed. Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern in them. "Eliza, that's absolutely not true. It's never been true. We actively encourage family attendance at most social functions."
My hands started to tremble. The coffee cup clattered against the saucer. "Are you... are you sure?"
"One hundred percent," Jamie said, her voice firm. "I work in HR, remember? I draft those policies. Spouses are welcome. Always have been."
I felt a cold dread spread through my chest. My mind raced, trying to find an explanation for Gavin. Any explanation. "Maybe... maybe he just meant it was too much hassle for him. Or he thought I wouldn't enjoy it."
Jamie leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "Eliza, what's going on? Has Gavin been telling you something else?"
"No! No, everything's fine," I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Just... curious. You know how it is."
Jamie sighed. Her eyes held a knowing sadness. "Eliza, I'm your friend. You can tell me anything." She paused, then took a deep breath. "Look, I've always felt a bit... uneasy about something. But it wasn't my place to say anything."
My heart pounded. "About what?"
She hesitated. "Gavin... he never comes alone."
My breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
"At every event, every retreat, every company dinner," Jamie explained, her voice low. "He brings someone. A woman."
My body started to shake uncontrollably. "A woman?"
"Yes," Jamie confirmed. "We all just assumed she was you. For years, we thought that was Eliza. His wife."
The shame was a physical blow. "Who... who is she?"
"Chanelle Bryant," Jamie said, her voice soft with pity. "She owns Bryant Solutions. They're a big client of ours. A key partner."
Chanelle. The name I' d seen in the company press release. The name in Gavin' s messages.
"How long... how long has he been bringing her?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Jamie hesitated again. "Eliza... ever since he joined the company. Eight years ago."
Eight years. The exact length of my marriage.
He didn't just meet her after we got married. He brought her to events as his wife for our entire marriage.
"Does he... does he always introduce her as his wife?" I asked, the words feeling like shards of glass in my throat.
Jamie nodded slowly. "Yes. Every time. We always thought you were incredibly private, Eliza. Or maybe just changed your name after marriage. He always introduced her as 'my wife, Chanelle.'"
My public wife. While I was his hidden shame.
Eight years. Eight years of being erased. Eight years of being a secret.
Jamie reached across the table, taking my trembling hand. "I'm so sorry, Eliza. I really am. I never knew."
"It's not your fault, Jamie," I said, pulling my hand away. My vision blurred with tears. "You couldn't have known."
I stood up, pushing my chair back. "Thank you, Jamie. Thank you for telling me." I turned and ran, the tears finally breaking free. I ran out of the coffee shop, ignoring Jamie's calls, ignoring the stares.
Eight years. Eight years of my life. Wasted.
I had been so naive. So trusting.
He had a whole other life. A public life. A glamorous life with Chanelle. While I was at home, raising our daughter, building a life around his lies.
She was his wife. To everyone. The beautiful, successful wife he proudly brought to every event.
And I? I was just the other woman. The hidden wife. The secret he kept in the shadows.
