Page 39 of Absolution

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I see some movement through the balcony doors.

Drawn by instinct, I turn.

And I see them.

A woman. Bent over the balcony rail. And him, my husband.

He wouldn’t.

Hewould.

Even from behind, I know it’s Kyle. The way he holds himself. The slope of his shoulders. The band of his watch catching the light. And just to confirm the sickening truth, he turns his head slightly, enough for me to see his face.

It’s him.

I stumble back like I’ve been hit. I can’t breathe. I can'tthink.

Grabbing my bag blindly, I bolt.

I don’t wait for the elevator. I take the stairs, hands shaking on the rail, legs threatening to buckle with every step.

How long has this been going on? Is this an affair or just a convenient fling?

But no woman lets a man bend her over like that unless shetrustshim.

Oh my God.

A voice breaks through the fog. “Miss? Are you all right?”

I blink. The doorman is standing in front of me, his grey hair catching the light. I manage a nod.

“I have to get out of here,” I whisper.

He studies me for a moment. Maybe he’s seen this before. Maybe he knows what heartbreak looks like.

“I’m sorry, all our cars are out for a wedding party,” he says gently. “I can get you a rideshare. It’ll be the only one available right now.”

“Fine,” I say, choking back the burn in my throat.

Minutes later, a car pulls up. I try to hand the doorman money, but he shakes his head.

“You’ll be all right,” he says softly.

I nod, barely, and slide into the back seat.

“Where to?” the driver asks.

“The airport.”

She nods. “I’ve got another pickup, but it’s on the way.”

I don’t reply. I just close my eyes and lean back.

My husband is cheating on me.

The thought settles like a stone in my gut.

He was with another woman, touching her the way I used to crave being touched. We used to have a healthy sex life, once.Sure, it changed. It’s hard to keep the spark alive when you’re stuck in a three-bedroom house 24/7 with three toddlers. I didn’t always have the energy. But I tried. And I thought he understood. I thought we were in this together.

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