Jenna’s number appeared on Mark’s account far more often than I expected.
Not for a few weeks.
Months.
Daniel leaned over my shoulder.
“Go back.”
I scrolled.
Calls before the wedding.
A twenty-seven-minute call six days before Daniel married her.
Another two days before.
Another the morning after the rehearsal dinner.
Daniel pushed his chair away.
“Mom.”
I stopped.
“Stop.”
I closed the laptop.
He stared at the floor.
“She married me anyway.”
I had no answer.
At midnight, Mark texted.
Working late. Don’t wait up.
Daniel stared at the message.
“Answer.”
“What do I say?”
“Okay.”
So I did.
Mark came home after one.
Daniel had already left.
I lay in bed pretending to sleep.
Mark showered.
That detail stayed with me.
He was careful enough to wash another woman off his skin before getting into bed beside me.
Then he kissed my shoulder.
“Love you.”
