CHAPTER 12:A SATURDAY OF SECRETS
1085 Words
Saturday mornings had a rhythm in their home—slow, warm, and familiar. It was the one day Ethan usually loosened up. They would paint together on the balcony, race each other during laps at the pool, or curl up on the couch and binge old movies until afternoon. Saturdays were their quiet ritual. Their safe space.
But not today.
Emily walked into the bedroom carrying the mug of coffee he’d asked her to make. Ethan stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the collar of a crisp navy shirt she had never seen him wear on weekends. His hair was perfectly brushed back, and he was wearing cologne the one he reserved for important events.
She paused in the doorway, surprised.
“Wow… you look really good today,” she said softly.
He turned with a quick smile, trying to make it appear casual.
“Thanks, Em.”
Emily handed him the coffee, still studying him. “You’re dressed like you’re going somewhere fancy. I thought we were staying in today.”
Ethan cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. “Yeah, about that… I, uh one of the guys from the office just called. He’s having a… mini emergency with a project. They need me to step in for a quick strategy briefing.” He forced a small laugh. “You know how these last-minute corporate fires can be.”
Emily blinked. A strategy briefing? On a Saturday morning? Ethan hated meetings on weekends.
“That sounds… serious,” she said carefully.
“Nothing too big,” he rushed out. “I’ll just be gone a few hours.”
Before she could reply, Ethan’s phone began ringing on the nightstand.
Emily instinctively reached for it. “Let me help you”
“No no, I’ve got it.” Ethan practically lunged across the room, grabbing the phone before she touched it. His hand trembled slightly as he glanced at the screen.
Then quickly he ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket.
Emily stood still, confused. “Ethan… are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said too fast. He leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you later, alright?”
Before she could ask anything else, he grabbed his keys and walked out quickly—almost rushing.
The door closed.
Emily stared for a long moment at the empty doorway, a knot forming in her stomach.
Something wasn’t right.
She wasn’t the type to obsess, but she wasn’t blind either. Still, she swallowed her questions, turned back toward the room, and tried to breathe through the quiet uneasiness lingering in her chest.
Seconds later, her phone rang.
Brian.
Her heart warmed unconsciously. She answered immediately.
“Hey, good morning,” she said, trying not to sound as shaken as she felt.
Brian’s voice came through, smooth and warm. “Good morning, Emily. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, not at all. I’m awake.” She sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
“You sound… tired,” he said gently. “Did you sleep okay?”
She laughed softly. “I slept fine. Just… long morning.”
“What happened?”
Emily hesitated. She didn’t want to talk about Ethan. Not now. “Nothing too serious. Just a bit of rushing around.”
Brian paused, as though sensing more but choosing not to pry. “Well, I wanted to check on you. And to say… yesterday was really great. Better than I expected.”
She smiled despite everything. “I had a good time too.”
“You sure?” His tone turned playful. “Because you kept laughing at all my jokes like you were trying to impress me.”
Emily chuckled. “Please, your jokes were funny. Maybe too funny.”
He laughed quietly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
His voice alone had a way of calming her, grounding her. She didn’t understand why but she liked that feeling.
“So what are you doing today?” he asked.
“Nothing yet. Just about to make breakfast.”
“Can I make a selfish request?”
She felt her cheeks warm. “Oh boy… what is it?”
“I want to hear your voice a little more.” He lowered his tone playfully. “It’s way too early for your day to end.”
Emily rolled her eyes, smiling. “You know you’re a smooth talker, right?”
“Only when it comes to you.”
She laughed again, shaking her head as heat rushed up her neck. “Stop.”
“Okay, okay,” he said, still smiling through the phone. “But seriously, Emily… are you good? You sound like something is weighing on you.”
Emily paused. Her fingers stroked the edge of the blanket. “I’m fine, Brian. Really. Today just… started weird.”
“If you say so,” he murmured, a hint of worry in his voice. Then he brightened. “How about I make it better? I was thinking maybe later we could
“Brian,” she cut in gently. “Let’s… let’s see how the day goes.”
Another pause. Then a soft sigh. “Alright. I’ll wait.”
She smiled at the warmth in those words. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Emily.” His voice softened. “Just don’t disappear on me today. Promise?”
“I won’t,” she whispered.
“Good.”
A few seconds of silence passed—comfortable, warm.
“Okay,” he said at last. “Go make that breakfast. Call me if you need anything. Or if you just want to talk.”
“I will. And… thank you for calling.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” he replied quietly. “Just talking to you already made my morning.”
Her heart skipped.
They hung up.
Emily sat still for a moment, the phone resting in her hand. The sunlight spilled softly through the window, warming her skin, yet a strange mix of emotions swirled inside heruncertainty about Ethan, comfort from Brian, and a sinking realization that her marriage was slipping into a place she didn’t recognize anymore.
She stood eventually and walked toward the kitchen, the house unusually quiet for a Saturday morning.
And for the first time in a long time…
She wondered what this day would bring.
- Writer
