Page 192 of After Midnight
His loyalty.
Or…at least I thought I did.
The distance started subtly. Longer nights away. More time "grinding." His attention drifting when I spoke to him. Sometimes I would catch him staring off into space looking almost haunted.
And then came the night that shattered my denial completely…
We were making love and he lost his erection. He tried to laugh it off. Kiss on me. Touch me. Pretend that he was just tired. I allowed that lie to become truth because maybe he was just tired.
But it happened again. And again. And when he had to resort to closing his eyes when we made love…I knew it wasn't my face behind those eyelids anymore. Someone else had my husband's mind. I didn't know it was Gianna, yet. I had no proof of who it was. Bishop was careful. Always had been.
Then the calls started—
At first, it was only breathing. Uncomfortable enough to disturb me, but vague enough to ignore once they suddenly stopped. So, I continued to focus on my family.
Until the next call. Unknown number. When I answered, silence greeted me again. Then right before I hung up—a woman's voice poured into my ear—
"It's after midnight, Mrs. Avery. Do you know where your husband is?"
My heart started racing. "Who is this?"
"I know something you don't know," she teased softly. "Something about the man you call yours…whose heart is now beating for someone else."
My grip tightened on the phone. "Who the fuck is this?"
"Ask your husband." Then she laughed and disconnected.
After that, I started watching Bishop more carefully. The next call came late at night while I laid alone in our bed yet again. Different number. Same woman.
"Has your husband fucked you lately, Mrs. Avery?"
Rage exploded through me instantly. "Listen here you bitch, I don't know who you are but if I find you—"
"You're gonna what?" she laughed crudely. "Fuck me and eat my pussy like your husband pays me to do?"
I saw red.
"You should take better care of your man," she continued mockingly. "Fine as he is? It's always a woman like me waiting to snatch him up."
"Stay away from my husband!" I snapped.
"Tell your husband to stay away from me."
Click.
A week later, I found a red envelope in my mailbox. No return address, only a deep wine-colored lipstick print sealing the flap. My hands shook as I opened it. Blood rushed my head—
Pictures…
My husband grinning while Gianna sat comfortably on his lap.
Another of her leading him down a hallway holding his hand.
Another where his palm rested possessively against her ass while he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in his world.
The exact same way he used to look at me.
Tears blurred my vision instantly as I rushed back inside clutching the photos to my chest.
