PART 6

When I arrived home that evening, Julian was already there.

He was standing in the kitchen with his tie loosened, drinking wine.

He smiled when he saw me.

“There she is.”

I forced a smile.

“Long day.”

He walked toward me and kissed my forehead.

“Feeling better?”

“Much.”

“Good.”

He took my coat.

For one terrifying second, I wondered whether he could somehow see the truth on my face.

Then he smiled.

“I missed you.”

I almost laughed.

Instead, I said, “I missed you too.”

His expression softened.

Then he asked casually,

“Did anything interesting happen today?”

My heart stopped.

I looked directly into his eyes.

“No.”

He smiled.

“Good.”

Then he returned to his wine.

I watched him.

Really watched him.

The man standing in front of me looked exactly like the husband I had loved for ten years.

Same dark hair.

Same familiar smile.

Same wedding ring.

Same voice.

But now I knew there was another version of him.

A version who spoke German at dinner.

A version who signed contracts behind my back.

A version who canceled fertility treatments without telling me.

A version who had apparently promised our property to another woman.

I went upstairs.

I changed clothes.

I came back down.

Dinner was quiet.

Julian talked about work.

I listened.

Then, as we were clearing the dishes, he said something that made my blood run cold.

“I think we should start preparing the guest room.”

I froze.

“For what?”

He smiled.

“For the baby.”

I slowly turned toward him.

“What baby?”

He laughed.

“Claire.”

“What?”

“You know what I mean.”

I stared at him.

He was testing me.

Or perhaps he was simply arrogant enough to believe I still knew nothing.

“Your mother mentioned something?”

His face changed.

Only for a fraction of a second.

Then he recovered.

“What did she mention?”

I shrugged.

“Nothing specific.”

He watched me.

“Claire.”

“Yes?”

“Is something wrong?”

I smiled.

“No.”

He stepped closer.

“You’ve been acting strange.”

“Have I?”

“Yes.”

I reached for a glass.

“Maybe I’m tired.”

He studied me for several seconds.

Then he smiled again.

“Of course.”

CONTINUE FOR NEXT PART….