chapter2

I reached for the phone, my heart hammering against my ribs, but Matthew moved with startling speed. He hurried into the room and snatched the device from the nightstand before I could touch it. He stole a quick, frantic glance at the screen before turning to me, his expression shifting into a forced smile.

“It’s just Mel,” he said, his voice a fraction too high.

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid I’ll find something?” I asked, my voice laced with a suspicion I couldn't suppress. The unease in my gut was turning into a cold weight.

The message had been brief—only four words: “Did she find out?”

Those words were enough to send a chill through me. They implied a secret, a shared deception that required me to be kept in the dark. I scrutinized Matthew, searching for a crack in his handsome facade. My intuition, usually a quiet hum, was now screaming.

Matthew chuckled dismissively and tossed the phone back onto the bedside table. He pulled me into his arms, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. “You’re overthinking again, sweetheart! It’s about my sister. Melanie is using me as a cover to scam Mom for some extra cash.”

Melanie was Matthew’s younger sister. Having been frail and sickly since childhood, she was the undisputed center of the Murphy family's universe. Pampered and spoiled, she had grown into a woman with the temperament of a bratty socialite. Now in her twenties, she refused to hold a job or finish school, spending her days traveling and her nights partying.

“Scamming your mother? Where exactly do you think her ‘extra cash’ comes from?” I snapped, pulling back slightly.

Matthew smiled, lifting me easily into his arms. He began to trail kisses along my neck as he carried me toward the bathroom. “Yeah, yeah, I know—it’s all your hard-earned money. That’s what happens when a lucky guy like me marries an amazing, successful, and understanding woman like you.”

Despite my doubts, his praise softened my edges.

Over the years, I had never been stingy with his family. I believed that a harmonious home was the foundation of success, and I took pride in treating his relatives with the same kindness I expected for myself. As the warm water of the shower hit us, my grievances seemed to wash away, replaced by the familiar comfort of his embrace.

Later that night, as we lay in bed, I brought up the subject of a new house again. It had become a pressing concern for me. We had lived in this cramped, 500-square-foot apartment since our wedding day. While the size hadn't bothered me when it was just the two of us, I didn't want Ava to start her education from a disadvantaged position.

She was nearly school-aged, and our current neighborhood lacked quality options. Although we had built up a substantial savings account over the years, Matthew had always been hesitant to move. He claimed he wanted to find the "perfect" location in our rapidly developing city so we wouldn't have to move a second time.

To my surprise, he didn't argue this time. He patted my shoulder and kissed my forehead. “Okay, honey. I’ll start looking for a suitable place this week. I’ll shortlist a few for you to see, and then you can make the final call.”

His response filled me with a quiet joy. I fell asleep that night daydreaming about high ceilings, a backyard for Ava, and a fresh start for all of us.

The following morning, after dropping Ava off at kindergarten, I received a call from my best friend, Ivanna. She wanted to meet at our usual spot immediately.

Ivanna and I were as close as sisters. We shared everything, but it was rare for her to call me so early on a weekday. She was a powerhouse—a top talent manager at a major media firm who rarely had a second to breathe.

When I entered our favorite dessert shop, I found her tucked into a corner booth, her fingers flying across her laptop keyboard. The morning sun through the window gave her a polished, professional glow.

She waved me over, and as I slid into the seat, I teased, “To what do I owe this honor? Since when are you free at nine in the morning?”

Ivanna rolled her eyes but didn't look up immediately. “Can’t a friend be concerned about you?”

“Haha, of course!” I took a sip of the latte she had already ordered for me. “But you’re the busy career woman and I’m just the stay-at-home consultant. My schedule is always open; yours is a jigsaw puzzle.”

“Are you even a little ashamed of that?” Ivanna asked, finally closing her laptop and looking at me intently. “All I see lately is Matthew spoiling you. Don't say I didn't warn you, Chloe—don't get too comfortable. It’s easy to become a fool when you stop paying attention.”

My heart skipped a beat. The playful atmosphere evaporated instantly. I leaned in, my voice dropping. “What does that mean? You didn't call me here to talk about my comfort levels.”

Ivanna lowered her gaze, suddenly fascinated by the screen of her computer, clearly struggling with what to say next. “Oh, nothing! I’m just giving you a hard time.”

She went quiet for a long beat, then looked me straight in the eye. “I saw Matthew the day before yesterday.”