Chapter 5: The Woman Who Knew
I didn’t open the folder immediately.
I wanted to.
Every part of me wanted to tear through those papers and finally understand what had happened.
But another part of me was terrified.
Because I already knew one thing.
Once I saw what was inside, I could never go back to believing Daniel was the man I married.
Olivia wrapped her hands around her coffee cup.
“I know this is a lot.””
I looked at her.
“You think?””
She lowered her eyes.
“I deserve that.””
The anger I felt toward her surprised me.
Not because she had hurt me.
Because she had known.
“How long have you known?””
She took a breath.
“Six months.””
I stared at her.
“Six months?””
“Yes.””
“And you waited?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
I laughed quietly.
“By staying silent?””
Her face tightened.
“I thought I was protecting myself.””
That answer caught me off guard.
I leaned back.
“Who are you?””
Olivia opened the folder.
“I used to work with Daniel.””
She slid a photo across the table.
It showed Daniel at a company event.
Standing beside Olivia.
I looked at her.
“You knew him professionally?””
“Yes.””
“Then why are you involved in my marriage?””
Her fingers shook slightly.
“Because Daniel involved me.””
The words hung between us.
I looked down at the photo again.
“What does that mean?””
Olivia swallowed.
“Daniel told me he was separated.””
My stomach dropped.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“He told you we were separated?””
She nodded.
“He said you were already planning to leave him. He said your marriage was over.””
I felt numb.
“When?””
“Last spring.””
Spring.
I remembered that time.
Daniel had been working late constantly.
He said his company was going through changes.
He said he was stressed.
I believed him.
Because I loved him.
Olivia pulled out another document.
“I didn’t know he was lying.””
I looked at the printed messages.
They were between Olivia and Daniel.
My eyes scanned the first few lines.
*Daniel: I wish things were different.*
*Olivia: Are you sure you’re really leaving her?*
*Daniel: I just need time.*
My hands went cold.
“Stop.””
Olivia immediately stopped.
“I’m sorry.””
I pushed the papers away.
“I don’t understand.””
She looked at me.
“He never intended to leave you.””
I stared.
“What?””
“He wanted both.””
The coffee shop suddenly felt too loud.
People laughed nearby.
A baby cried.
A blender ran behind the counter.
Normal life continued while mine collapsed.
“Why?””
Olivia shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
I stood.
“I’m done.””
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I grabbed my coat.
“I can’t keep hearing things about him.””
Olivia stood too.
“Please.””
I stopped.
Not because I wanted to.
Because something in her voice sounded broken.
“He wasn’t just cheating emotionally.””
I turned slowly.
“What does that mean?””
She reached into the folder again.
This time, she pulled out a bank statement.
My eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
A payment.
A large payment.
Made from Daniel’s account.
To his mother.
“What is this?””
Olivia looked at me.
“Your husband has been sending money to Evelyn.””
I frowned.
“So?””
“Sarah…”
Her voice lowered.
“This wasn’t family help.””
She pointed to the date.
“Look.””
I looked.
The payment was made three days after Daniel and I had our biggest argument of the year.
The argument where he told me I was “too sensitive.””
The argument where Evelyn called me and said I was lucky Daniel tolerated me.
I looked up.
“What are you saying?””
Olivia hesitated.
“I’m saying your mother-in-law wasn’t just criticizing you.””
My heartbeat quickened.
“She was being encouraged.””
The room went silent.
“By Daniel?””
Olivia didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
I picked up the papers.
My hands trembled.
“What happened last Christmas?””
Olivia looked surprised.
“What?””
“The message you sent me.””
Her expression changed.
“You got that?””
“Yes.””
She looked away.
Then she whispered:
“Last Christmas was when I realized Daniel and Evelyn were working together.””
I felt a chill.
“What did they do?””
Olivia opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
She looked toward the door.
Her face suddenly turned pale.
“What?””
She didn’t answer.
She was staring at someone behind me.
I turned around.
And my blood ran cold.
May you like
Daniel was standing outside the coffee shop window.
Watching us.
