My Husband's Secret Public Wife

za

afternoon, numb. The smell of something savory f

turning from the stove. "Dinner's almo

umbled, dropping my b

ked, a casual question that felt like a

plied, my voice flat.

e didn't press. He never pressed.

ep, oblivious. I stared at the plate in front of

id you confront a man who had bu

guns. Not yet. I needed to see his r

ly been thinking about that awards gala. I thi

e plate. His eyes, usually so warm, now had a flicker

at. "Why the sudden interest, Eliza? It

light, "Mia's getting older. I want her to

Eliza, you know I told you. Company policy. Spouses aren't reall

ptively calm. "Because Jamie tol

fork slipped from his hand, hit

tively encouraged to attend," I continued, my voice gain

hick and s

on his, "that you never go alone. Not to the gala, no

. He wouldn'

lways bring a woma

steel. "A woman you i

ad into his hands

ut still controlled. "Who is this woman you've b

"She's a client, Eliza! A very im

duce your clients as your wives? Is t

s for appearances, Eliza! For client

bitter laugh escaping my lips

shed on the screen. The Aspen ski trip. The Hawaii retreat. Th

im and Chanelle, arm in arm. "Eight years of 'client relations

His eyes wide with d

," he stammered, his

gle lie you've told me for the past eight years was a cover for another woman? Explain how you made me

haky breath. "Who is

isted, his voice barely a whisper.

at you call it when you send her love notes? When you plan romantic getaw

exchanges. The plans for their secret life. His eyes darted a

s. He hadn't expected

asked, my voice cold and steady now. "Any m

agape, eyes fixed on the

k with a scrape. I walked to the

. "What are you doing, El

my voice devoid of emotion. "I

k about this!" he pleaded, grabbing

re's nothing to talk about

es from the closet, fol

ot looking at him. "The wife you kept hidden away, while Cha

omplicated," he stammered, trying

it to me. Explain how I was never good enough to meet your colleagues, to attend your

a," he stammered, his eyes darting away. "

that what you told yourself, Gavin? That I was too bo

about you. About having your cake and eating it too. A stable home life with

, silently. His sil

raight into his eyes. "I was just your housekeeper. Your babys