Chapter 3

"Poppy's running a fever, so I ran out for Tylenol," she said. "Since you're home, can you have Margie check her forehead? If she's still warm, a cool washcloth."

Just like that, most of my anger drained out.

"Poppy's sick? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were out with the guys. It's not a big deal. I've got it."

I went into my daughter's room and touched her forehead. Still a little warm.

Twenty minutes later, Audrey walked in with a CVS bag. I got up to meet her. "Next time just have the pharmacy deliver it. You don't need to run all over town."

She nodded. "I figured you'd be wrapping up about now. I'd grab the medicine, then swing by and pick you up. I didn't know you'd come home on your own."

And that was that. I let out a long breath.

Look, I could play around because I had limits. It was just physical. My heart never left this house. Women are different. Once a woman's body strays, her heart follows sooner or later.

That, I would never allow.

After my shower, I decided to treat my wife. Kendall had been wringing me dry lately. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I'd touched Audrey.

But the second my hand landed on her stomach, she practically jumped out of bed.

"I'm gonna shower. I was running around all day and I'm all sweaty. Gross."

Talk about a mood killer. Kendall never said no. Whenever I wanted it, she was ready. Any time, any place.

Before I could stop her, Audrey had already disappeared into the bathroom.

I sighed and grabbed my phone. Hidden behind a calculator icon, I had a second chat app. I opened it and texted Kendall.

Up?

She answered fast. Not yet. You home?

Yep.

And you're texting me??

Doing it under my wife's nose is half the fun.

You're so bad. Tomorrow's my birthday. Come keep me company?

Then she sent a picture of herself in bed, wearing nothing at all.

Heat shot straight down my body. I didn't even think. Pack a bag. I'm taking you to Key West.

OMG!! Thank you babe, I love you SO much!

We kept texting for a while, until my eyes got heavy. The water in the bathroom never stopped running. The lavender diffuser on the dresser filled the room with that soft scent, and somewhere along the way I drifted off.

When I woke up the next morning, Audrey and Poppy were already at the breakfast table. Audrey glanced up when I came out. "Go wash up and come eat."

I stood there trying to remember when she'd come to bed last night. Or if she'd come to bed at all.

She was right there at the table, but she felt far away somehow. I couldn't put my finger on it.

I was about to walk over and touch her cheek when my phone buzzed.

Kendall. At the airport!! Where are you???

The step I'd taken toward my wife, I slowly took back.

"Aud, something came up with a client. I've got to fly out today. Don't wait up."

She went still for a moment. Then she gave a small nod. "Go. Get some rest when you can. Don't work too hard."

Once I was out the door, I called my assistant, Kyle. "I need you to keep an eye on Audrey for a couple of days. See who she meets after work."

I couldn't shake the feeling she was hiding something. Then again, deep down, I didn't really believe she'd betray me. She had the cutest daughter in the world. A happy home. A husband who made real money.

What more could she possibly want?

She was my wife, the one I'd chosen out of everyone. But if I found out she'd cheated, I wouldn't hesitate. I'd bury every asset we had in the company books before she even saw it coming.

For a businessman, that's not exactly hard.