Initially, I had planned to surprise Brian after the experiment concluded, but as the advisor for the group, I ended up witnessing his betrayal firsthand.
After discovering his infidelity multiple times, I began to spiral. Signs of depression crept in, and I found myself visiting the hospital frequently to pick up medication.
"Who do you think this advisor sent by the higher-ups is?" one of the team members mused during a break. "Every time, they guide us so precisely, but we’ve never even seen them."
"Yeah," another chimed in, "our experiments overlap with Groups B and C—why are we the only ones getting this mysterious guidance?"
"Could it be that she has a crush on someone in our group? If so, it must be Brian."
Hearing this, Brian slammed the table, cutting their chatter short.
The team quickly shifted their tone. "Just joking, just joking. Everyone knows Brian loves his wife to death."
"Exactly! He’s in the lab all day, and nine out of ten sentences are about Allison."
If I hadn’t seen the truth with my own eyes, I might have believed their words.
I sat at the table, restless, my fingers digging into my palms until they turned red.
Moments later, Sarah took off her cardigan, leaving only a revealing inner layer. The room fell silent, the team exchanging awkward glances as if anticipating what would happen next.
When Sarah walked into the restroom, Brian made an excuse to leave as well.
"Alli, I have a stomachache. I’ll be right back."
After they left, the remaining team members pretended to chat casually, occasionally piling food onto my plate in an attempt to distract me.
Unable to sit still, I found myself opening the surveillance footage once again, as if drawn by an invisible force. The scene before me was gut-wrenching.
Sarah was dressed provocatively in a short skirt, and as Brian approached her, his gaze locked onto her with intensity. He kissed her fiercely, lifting her onto the bathroom counter. A mirror directly across reflected everything.
"Brian," she whispered breathlessly, "we’re so close to the dining area."
But Brian didn’t respond, his focus unwavering.
As her voice grew louder, he abruptly stopped.
"Sarah, keep your voice down! My wife is right outside. If she hears us, you’re dead!" he hissed.
"Wouldn’t it be more thrilling if she heard? What’s the big deal?" Sarah chuckled.
Clearly rattled by the possibility, Brian hurried to finish. But his movements were distracted, his expression anxious. He didn’t even button his shirt properly before rushing back to check on me.
"Wife, you didn’t hear any strange noises, did you?"
I hesitated for a moment before replying, "I heard water running."
Sweat beaded on his forehead, a clear sign of his nerves.
"Must’ve been the toilet flushing," he said, forcing a laugh.
Sarah emerged from the restroom moments later, fully dressed, and shot me a disdainful look.
"Brian is so gentle with his wife. I’m jealous," she remarked, feigning admiration.
Brian ignored her, keeping his gaze on me as if to reassure himself that I was unaware of what had transpired.
The rest of the team joined in, heaping praise on Brian for his devotion to me.
After dinner, we returned home. Just as Brian was about to pull me into his arms, his phone rang. He accidentally left an earbud behind, and I caught part of the conversation.
"Brian, you didn’t treat me well enough today. I still want to see that video of you in the shower."
Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and went to the bathroom.
I lay on the bed, shutting my eyes tightly to hold back tears. Just two more days, and I would be free of him.
The next morning, I awoke to the smell of seafood.
Perhaps out of guilt, he hadn’t gone to the lab that today. Instead, he stayed home and prepared an elaborate seafood feast for me.
In the past, seeing him busy in the kitchen to make my favorite meal would have filled me with joy. I’d smile in my sleep, replaying the moment in my dreams.
But now, the sight of his efforts only deepened my pain.
