My breath stopped. I picked up the phone and answered. A familiar voice came through.
"Andrew, baby! My mid-year review performance depends on your hard work. My boss praised me today, so I must thank you."
My heart tightened.
She went on, "I heard about that hag coming to inspect everything today. Andrew baby, tell me what’s going on there."
Someone named @DrunkenBianca called my husband Andrew. When the senior staff first met my husband, they would call him Mr. Russell. Not even his close friends called him like that.
Now, the woman hesitated.
"Andrew, baby?"
"Why aren’t you answering?"
"Bad signal?"
The call ended suddenly. My face turned pale as I looked at Andrew, who was still busy in the kitchen. I remembered he had recently liked wine tasting. The company’s project list now included a winery that wasn’t supposed to be there.
I once asked my husband why he changed his plan.
He only said, "If there’s a profit, I want to buy some shares in it, no matter the industry."
Then, he looked at me softly.
"I just want you to become the happiest woman in the world who lives the best life."
My heart filled with heat as if a hand had slapped me, waking me from my fantasy and my ‘happy’ married life.
Andrew, how far had things gone with that woman?
I sat in my study and Bianca’s voice echoed in my mind. I remembered going with Andrew to the winery, but I never saw a girl named Bianca Willis. I sent a message to my best friend on Whatsapp.
[Hey, can you check the connection between Northland Winery and my husband?]
My hands shook as I typed, but I pushed down my fear.
[I want to know everything about Andrew’s recent plans and all his past payments.]
My eyes filled with tears, but I didn’t let them fall. I stayed calm.
[I think Andrew might be having an affair with someone else.]
Right after I sent the message, I heard Andrew behind me.
“Honey.”
He walked over, guilt written all over his face.
“There’s a sudden problem at work,” he said awkwardly.
“I promised to go with you, but the team can’t take care of it. So, I don’t have any choice but to go.”
He gently patted my head.
“I’ll come back when it’s done,” he said, holding his phone.
The screen was still on. He was typing in a chat.
I couldn’t help but grab his hand as I asked him, “Can we not go?”