t to utter.

Later, they filled the bathtub with warm water, and the scent of lavender wafting in the air. The bubbles surrounded them, and soon, they started laughing, enjoying more than just their bodies.

But their playful banter in the bath came to an abrupt halt when they heard the front door open.

“Daniel? I’m back! I forgot my—” Elise called out, her voice trailing off as she realized something was off.

In a panic, Marianne submerged herself under the bubbles, her heart racing.

Daniel called out, “In here, Elise! Just taking a bath. I’ll be out soon, don’t come in!” His voice almost betrayed him.

Elise approached the bathroom.

“I didn’t expect to find you here. And since when do you like using bath bubbles?” she asked, her tone light but curious. Daniel laughed off his nervousness.

“Just wanted to relax a bit.

Marianne left a while ago,” he lied. nodded and held up his passport. “I accidentally took yours.

I found out in the taxi and came back.

I’ve rescheduled my flight for tonight.” “Oh, that’s why you’re back,” he muttered, still chuckling awkwardly. “You’re acting strange. What’s going on?” she pressed, frowning.

“Nothing, Elise.

It’s just a surprise, that’s all,” he insisted. “You seem guilty. Is there something I should know?”

Elise asked, her hands going to her waist.

From her hiding spot, Marianne felt the tension rise and finally realized the gravity of their situation.

She could only hope that Elise couldn’t see her body beneath all the soap bubbles. Flustered, Daniel changed the subject. “You should repack.

Let’s not dwell on this.”

“We’re not done talking about this, Daniel,” Elise said, pointing a finger at him. But she still went out to their bedroom. Marianne surfaced a little to take a breath but didn’t dare emerge fully.

In the bedroom, while fumbling with her bag, Elise noticed something shiny on their bed.

It was her friend’s pendant. Returning to the bathroom, she asked, “Why is Marianne’s pendant here?”

“I—I don’t know, Elise. Maybe Marianne left it by mistake?” Daniel stammered.

But Elise wasn’t buying it. The pieces were starting to fit together in a pattern she wished she didn’t recognize.

“A mistake? How could she leave it here without realizing it?

And why would she even take it off in our bedroom?” Elise, you’re reading too much into this. It’s just a piece of jewelry,” he said between more awkward laughs.

And finally, things clicked for Elise as her eyes noted something new in the tub — what she hadn’t seen or subconsciously avoided seeing before. Luckily, she knew exactly how to get the truth out this time.

“It’s not just the pendant, Daniel.

It’s the secrets, the lies. I can feel it,” she continued, her jaw setting firmly. Daniel got out of the bathtub at last, wrapping himself in a towel and reaching for his wife.

But Elise stepped out of his reach.

“Elise, I saw how much you admired Marianne’s pendant. I bought one for you as a homecoming gift. I thought it would be a perfect surprise for you,” he said, stammering on his words.

Elise burst out in laughter.

“A surprise? Daniel, I’ve only been gone an hour. How could you have possibly bought it in that time?” Daniel struggled to salvage the situation, and only made things worse.

“Elise, please, you’re overthinking this.

It’s just a gift.” Elise was beyond accepting lies and evasions. “A gift? Or a guilt offering?

What are you not telling me?”

The room felt like it was closing in on Daniel. He was trapped, not just by Elise’s questions, but by his own guilt and the tangled lies that had brought them to this point.

“Elise, please, this is ridiculous. Let’s just talk about this out in our bedroom,” he said feebly.

“Just a moment longer, Daniel. I need to see something,” Elise stated and looked toward the bathtub pointedly.

Daniel finally understood he was screwed. As the silence stretched, Marianne realized she couldn’t stay submerged much longer.

The need for air and the weight of their deceit pressed down on her.

She emerged from the water, gasping. The truth about the affair was now undeniable. As she struggled for breath, Marianne looked from Daniel to Elise, thinking about an excuse.

Despite already figuring out the truth, Elise’s tears surfaced.

The betrayal was just too poignant. “How long, Daniel?” she whispered.

Daniel tried to blame Marianne for seducing him, but it was a defense that sounded feeble even to him. “Seduced?

You’re my husband. How could you?” Elise shook her head.

“Elise, it wasn’t like that. Daniel, he—he was the one who came onto me first,” Marianne chimed in.

Elise’s anger only grew at her friend’s audacity. How dare you?

My best friend, betraying me like this?” she snapped, trying to sound strong. “I can’t even look at either of you right now.

Get out. Get out of my house!”

Daniel and Marianne wrapped their bodies in towels and began collecting their things while Elise watched them, her heart broken yet her resolve firm. They took too long in her opinion.

It was time to teach them a swift lesson.

“Leave! Now! And don’t bother getting dressed.

Let the world see the shame you’ve brought onto yourselves!” she commanded, and her eyes told them not to mess with her.

Once alone, the sorrow took over Elise’s body, threatening to destroy her. Yet amidst the pain, a spark of resilience ignited.

She began to reclaim her space, packing away reminders of her soon-to-be ex-husband and her ex-best friend.

She decided to cut them out of her life for good, metaphorically and physically. “I am more than this betrayal,” Elise affirmed in front of the mirror after finishing her purge.

Grabbing her bags, she headed to the airport, but instead of a business trip, she headed to her mother’s house, where comfort and support would help her close this painful chapter of her life.

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