But I couldn't lose control. Sneaking around in my home wasn't enough for Aileen anymore. She wanted to watch me unravel with her own eyes, wanted to see jealousy strip me of every last shred of dignity. That would be her victory.

I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

I splashed water on my face. Told myself to stay calm.

"Something came up. I have to go."

The door slammed shut behind me. Mrs. Whitney Sr. had thrown it closed.

And something inside me closed with it.

I buried my face in my hands. Tears slipped through the cracks between my fingers.

Everything I'd given to this family over the years. What had any of it been worth?

Jayden announced another business trip, same as always.

This time, I didn't pack his suitcase.

I knew I had to do something.

Before this family fell apart completely.

I needed more leverage.

The moment he left, I went to his office.

He'd always told me the commute was too long, that he was too busy, that I shouldn't bother coming to see him. So I never had.

"Excuse me, is Jayden Whitney in?"

"He's not here. He took the day off to go to his son's piano recital," the receptionist answered casually.

"Manager Whitney really is the perfect husband," she went on, chatting with the girl beside her. "Every time his wife comes by the office, he waits on her hand and foot. And he always takes time off for his son's events too."

Every drop of blood in my body rushed to my head.

Just a few days ago, my daughter had cried and begged to learn piano. Jayden had frowned, shoved her away, and snapped at her.

"Girls don't need to learn that stuff. It's a waste of time. Stop being so difficult!"

And now he was at his son's piano recital.

My daughter. She'd done nothing to deserve any of this.

I stood there like my soul had left my body.

"Ma'am? Are you still here? Which department are you from? What did you need Manager Whitney for?"

The receptionist noticed I hadn't moved and pressed me for answers.

"I'm his wife. We have a daughter. She's in preschool."

I didn't even know what I was saying.

I walked out in a daze.

I didn't notice the way she looked at me.

Maybe, in that moment, I looked like a lunatic.

I stumbled home in a fog.

The thought that this house was saturated with that woman's presence made my stomach turn. I doubled over and dry-heaved.

I opened Jayden's computer.

I searched carefully and found a hidden folder.

It was full of evidence of their love.