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Novel Catalog
Chapter_5
Strong Evidence
Dinner had barely ended when Melanie pouted and latched onto Matthew’s arm, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “Matt, can you give me a ride?”
I rolled my eyes and shot her a pointed look, but she feigned complete ignorance, clinging to him like a spoiled child.
Matthew gave me an apologetic glance but didn’t press it. “Wait a minute, Chloe. I’ll help you with the dishes, then I’ll take her out.”
I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. Melanie’s constant need for attention was starting to make my blood boil. “It’s fine,” I said, my tone sharp. “You go ahead and take her wherever she wants to go. I’ll handle the dishes myself.”
Ava, who had been happily chatting at the table, suddenly stood up, her little hands outstretched toward Matthew. “Daddy, where are you going? I want to go too!” she called, her voice high and innocent.
Matthew lifted her up, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Daddy will be home soon, sweetheart. Stay with Mommy, okay?”
Melanie sneered from the doorway, her patience for Ava clearly nonexistent. “What’s the point of you coming along, kid?”
I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. She had no empathy, no warmth, especially toward her niece. I took Ava in my arms and tried to keep the situation light. “Sweetheart, Daddy’s just taking Aunt Melanie to where she needs to go. He’ll be back soon, I promise.”
Ava’s big, soulful eyes looked up at me, and then she turned toward Matthew, hugging me tightly. “Okay! Come home quickly, Daddy!”
Matthew smiled and kissed Ava once more, his expression full of love. “I will. Be good, both of you.”
With that, he took the car keys and walked out, his arm around Melanie as she shot one final smug look at me before the door closed behind them.
I didn’t question him when he came home late that night. He was always so thoughtful, and I knew he had been spending time with his parents, something he did frequently. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him where they’d been, though. Part of me didn’t want to know.
The next morning, he woke up early, kissed me goodbye, and said he had an important meeting at nine. He even took Ava with him to drop her off at kindergarten, saving me the trouble.
Matthew had always been considerate, and for the past few years, it had felt like I had nothing to complain about. As Ivanna had pointed out, he had spoiled me. So much so that I had grown comfortable in this perfect little bubble he had created for us. He was the ideal husband. Or so I thought.
While tidying up his clothes that he’d left from the night before, I wasn’t expecting to find anything unusual. But as I checked his pockets before sending them down for the dry cleaning, my fingers brushed against something unexpected—a small, sealed package.
I froze.
My heart dropped into my stomach as I pulled out the condom from the pocket. I stared at it, utterly stunned. We hadn’t needed anything like this since I had the IUD inserted after Ava was born.
The evidence was undeniable. The air around me seemed to thicken, and the world felt like it was closing in. Betrayal hit me like a physical blow. My thoughts scrambled in panic. Could this really be happening? Had he—?
The images of him with another woman flooded my mind, and I felt my knees go weak. I dropped the condom, my hands trembling as I collapsed onto the floor.
Everything I had worked for, everything I had given him, everything I believed in—had it all been a lie?
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn’t lose control—not now. I had worked so hard for this family, for this life, for my daughter. I couldn’t let this destroy me.
I repeated the words to myself like a mantra. “Chloe, calm down. You can’t afford to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for. Don’t let him win.”
The anger surged within me, raw and furious. I clenched my fists tightly, trying to regain control over my emotions. I couldn’t let him destroy everything—everything we had built—on a whim. No. Not without a fight.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stand. I quickly washed up, straightening myself up as best as I could. No time for weakness. No time for self-pity.
I grabbed my bag, my mind already made up. I wasn’t going to sit idly by and let this go unanswered. Not now, not ever. I took a cab to the company building, determination set on my face. The truth had been laid bare in front of me, and now I needed answers.