Everything She Built

Be Careful Rachel's POV "I saw your husband at Colton yesterday." I froze, my hands on a bright pink dress that I was sure my daughter would love. Beside me was Lydia Sun, my friend. I tried not to show my shock. “Colton . . .?” I repeated slowly. Lydia paused and pulled her lips into a straight line. “I didn't want to tell you, but I saw him with another woman. They looked really close.” “That's impossible, Lydia. Owen is in the Bahamas, remember? I told you he was going on a business trip.” That didn't stop Lydia. “I know what you told me. But I saw him, Rachel. And the woman with him didn't seem like a business associate.” I chuckled, despite the way my heart was racing, and pretended to still be interested in the clothes. “You probably saw someone else. He's at a conference in the Bahamas. He sent me photos this morning. There were palm trees, ocean views, the whole thing. He's definitely not in Colton.” Lydia huffed and reached into her bag. She pulled out her phone and scrolled for a moment before handing it to me. “I took this yesterday when I saw him because I knew you wouldn't believe me.” I should tell her that it's not true. That I always believe her, just not on this. But my eyes were already on the photo. It was blurry, clearly taken in a hurry from a distance. There was a man in the Colton hotel lobby wearing a navy blue suit, his back to the camera. Beside him was a woman wearing a cream dress, her hand on his arm, his head tilted toward her, saying something. His build looked familiar. Maybe it was the way he stood, or his shoulders. But I couldn't make out his face. It was not my own. “That could be anyone,” I said, dismissively. “It's him.” “It's not.” I handed the phone back. “Lydia, you've never met him. You've seen him twice, and only in photos. You don't know what he looks like from behind.” Lydia looked hurt, but she quickly covered it up. “Okay. You're right. I'm sure it was a mistake. I just wanted you to be careful.” The rest of the time at the mall, I couldn't stop thinking about the picture and what Lydia said. I tried my best not to let it bother me. I picked up my daughter Yaya from school. I made dinner, did the dishes, and folded the laundry. Everything was normal, but I couldn't stop thinking of the photo. I picked up my phone at 10pm and called Owen Sterling. He answered on the second ring. “Hey, babe. Miss me already?” “Just checking in. How's the conference?” “Bo-ring. Lots of handshaking and PowerPoint slides. I’d rather be home with you and Yaya.” I heard noise in the background. “You sound like you're outside.” “Yeah, I'm walking back to the hotel. I got caught up with some clients.” There was a pause, and I heard a woman's voice in the background, too faint to make out. “What are you doing up so late?” “I couldn't sleep.” That was the truth. Owen chuckled. “Are you missing me that much?” He was teasing. His voice was warm, the same voice I’d fallen in love with seven years ago. I couldn’t hold back. “I saw Lydia today. She told me something really funny,” I laughed dryly. “What?” “She said she saw you yesterday. At Colton.” I held my breath. Owen was silent for a moment. Then he laughed. “Colton? That's ridiculous. I'm in the Bahamas, babe. I sent you photos.” “Right? That's what I told her.” Owen sighed. “Lydia has always been a bit dramatic. You know that. Don't let her get into your head.” “I know.” “I'll be home in two days, I promise. I love you.” “I love you too.” I told myself I was being paranoid, that Lydia had made a mistake, that my husband loved me. But I didn't sleep that night. The next morning, Yaya jumped into my bed. “Mommy! Mommy! Daddy sent me a video!” She shoved her tablet in my face. A video message from Owen. He was standing on a beach, palm trees swaying behind him, smiling at the camera. “Hey, little monkey. Daddy misses you. Be good for Mommy. See you soon.” Yaya was delighted. She watched the video three more times. I just watched his face. I didn't know what I was searching for. A tell, a lie, something. I found nothing. He was really in the Bahamas. He looked happy. He looked like my husband. *** Later that night, I heard the key on the front door and I smiled. My husband was home. “I missed you,” he said the moment he saw me, picking me up and spinning me around in a hug. I couldn't help but laugh. "I couldn't wait two days." His lips found my forehead, my cheek, and then my mouth. He handed me the bouquet of flowers that had been resting next to his luggage. “Welcome home, honey,” I said, as his hands wrapped around my waist. He looked down at me, his eyes filled with love. “You look beautiful.” I blushed, despite the fact that my hair was in a messy bun, and I was wearing a T-shirt that had seen better days. I hit his shoulder playfully. “Stop teasing me.” He grinned. “Where's Yaya?” he asked, letting me go. “In her bedroom.” He tiptoed quietly into her room, and I heard her shriek. He picked her up and spun her around. I watched from the door, wondering why I'd ever doubted this man. The man who loved me so much that he came home a day early, brought me flowers, and never missed an important moment with Yaya. Owen Sterling was mine. I carried his luggage up to our room, opening it to take out the dirty laundry. It was completely normal — suits, toiletries, business folders. But that's when I saw it. There was a navy blue suit in my husband's bag.