I slid the phone back into my purse without responding. I didn’t want anything to ruin this perfect night.
When Florin pulled up to our building, we shared one last long and deep and passionate kiss.
“When can I see you again?” he murmured against my lips.
“Soon,” I promised. “Very soon.”
I walked to our apartment door on shaky legs, my heels in my hand, the diamond necklace still around my neck.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Mark standing by the window. He must have seen Florin drop me off. He must have seen our kiss.
“Where have you been, Amelia? It’s one o’clock.” he looked genuinely worried.
I yawned and stretched my arms, suddenly taken over by a surge of blissful fatigue. “Oh, is it? I didn’t even realize. I guess I had too much fun.”
I stumbled slightly as I set down my heels. “And too much wine.”
I noticed my fishnet stockings were hanging loose, one completely torn. I adjusted them and saw Mark watching me intently. “Oh dear, I guess my stocking tore.”
Mark’s face had gone completely pale. “Amelia, did you—”
“Of course I did, honey.” I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about Florin’s mouth on me, his body moving inside mine.
Mark looked like I’d struck him.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m really tired.” I moved past him toward the bedroom, the diamonds at my throat making me feel like a queen.
I left my husband standing in the hallway under the dim kitchen lights, and I didn’t look back.
CHAPTER 10
Amelia
The next morning, Mark and I sat side by side on the couch, the laptop balanced between us for our daily FaceTime with the kids.
Brook’s face filled the screen, her hair in pigtails that my mother had clearly spent time perfecting.
“Mommy! Guess what? We went to the park yesterday and I went down the big slide!”
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart!” I smiled, genuinely happy to see her excited face.
“Did you make any friends in Paris?” Brook asked.
“Yes, I made one friend.” I glanced at Mark from the corner of my eye. “And daddy made one friend too.”
Mark was tense beside me, his jaw tight. He’d barely said two words since I’d emerged from the bedroom this morning.
Noah pushed his way into frame. “Grandma says we can get a puppy! Can we, Mom? Please?”
“We’ll... we’ll talk about that when we get home,” I said, laughing.
We chatted for a few more minutes about school projects they were planning with Grandpa and cookies Grandma was helping them bake, and then said our goodbyes.
The screen went black, and the apartment felt suddenly too quiet.
Mark and I ate breakfast in silence. As I sipped on the coffee, I kept shifting in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position.
“Are you okay?” Mark asked, his voice suddenly full of concern.
