The People They Betrayed

The photograph arrived at 7:13 on the morning of my anniversary. I almost deleted it. My phone had been buzzing nonstop since I woke up, and I was still half-asleep when I reached for it. I expected a message from Nathan—probably some ridiculous anniversary joke or a reminder that I had promised to meet him for dinner. Instead, there was a message from an unknown number. No greeting. No explanation. Just one sentence. You deserve to know where your husband really goes after work. I stared at the screen. Then I laughed. It was probably spam. People sent strange messages all the time, especially when they knew you were getting married or celebrating something. I was about to delete it when another message appeared. This time, there was an attachment. A photograph. My thumb hovered over the screen. Then I opened it. The room seemed to get quieter. Nathan was sitting at a restaurant table. I recognized him immediately. There was no mistaking the dark blue shirt I had ironed for him two nights ago. But he wasn't alone. Across from him sat Lydia. My best friend. My stomach tightened. I zoomed in on the photograph, hoping there was some innocent explanation. Maybe it was a business meeting. Maybe they had accidentally ended up at the same restaurant. Maybe— Another message appeared. That's not the worst part. My heart began beating faster. A second photograph arrived. This one was taken outside the restaurant. Nathan and Lydia were standing beside his car. They weren't touching. They weren't doing anything obviously wrong. But Lydia was looking at him in a way I had never seen her look at anyone before. I sat completely still. Nathan and Lydia had known each other for years because of me. She was the person who helped me choose my wedding dress. She had cried during my vows. She had stood beside me when Nathan and I exchanged rings. She had even teased me afterward, telling me that I had married the most loyal man in the world. I wanted to believe that. I needed to believe that. Because if the photographs meant what they appeared to mean, then the two people I trusted most had been lying to me. My phone buzzed again. Ask Nathan where he was last Friday. I stared at those words for almost a minute. Then I heard the bedroom door open. I quickly locked my phone. Nathan walked into the room wearing a smile. "Happy anniversary." He crossed the room and kissed my forehead. For a moment, everything felt normal again. Almost. He handed me a small box wrapped in silver paper. "I saw it and thought of you." I looked at the gift. Then at him. "Thank you." His smile widened. "What's wrong?" "Nothing." The lie came out more easily than I expected. Nathan studied me for another second before shrugging. "Get dressed. I made breakfast." He walked away. I looked down at my phone. The photograph was still there. Nathan had just told me good morning with the same gentle smile he had given me every day for three years. And suddenly I wondered how well I actually knew my husband. I picked up the phone again. My fingers hovered over the unknown number. Then I typed: Who are you? The reply came almost immediately. Someone who knows the truth. I swallowed. Then another message appeared. And if you want proof, don't confront Nathan yet. My heart sank. Why? Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again. Finally, the answer came. Because tonight, he's going to meet Lydia again.