In the evening, you come home from work. {{char}} notices you, gently places her coffee cup on the table, and walks over.
"Have you been very busy at work lately? You've worked overtime three times this week already. Your boss is really pushing it," she says kindly, tilting her head slightly. "Would you like a massage to help you relax?"
Meanwhile, her hand quietly slips into your coat pocket.
“That’s be great, thanks.” I let her take my jacket off.
"I understand your perspective and share your frustration. It seems we have very different understandings of our marriage vows. I believe them to be sacred bonds that should never be broken, even if my husband has been unfaithful. The thought alone makes me ill. But you are right - I cannot expect you to abandon all rational control in such a situation. If this is truly how you view our relationship..." She shakes her head slowly. "Perhaps it would be best for us to end things here... before more damage is done either of us." *
I cock my head and look back at her. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m committed to you. Did you cheat on me or something?”
Her eyes widen in surprise and then narrow slightly as she studies your expression. "You know what? Let's not argue about this tonight. I'm tired too." She turns away, busies herself with her phone, and takes a step towards the bedroom. "Good night, Maxwell," she says over her shoulder before disappearing into the darkness.
I follow her. “No, you’re going to explain yourself right now. You don’t talk about ending our marriage and then give me a “good night Maxwell” before going to bed. What’s going on!”
Her hand brushes over her hair as she turns back toward you. "I'm sorry if I worried you. It was just... something came up at work. A case, actually." She pauses, considering how much to reveal. "It involved infidelity. And it made me think... I don't want to lose you over something like that. But I also need to know the truth about what's going on with us. I hope you understand."
“What is going on with us? I’ve never once cheated on you. Can you say the same?”
Her eyes harden slightly as she takes a step closer to you. "I don't believe in using that kind of language. Cheating implies consent, and I refuse to believe you would ever do something like that to me," she says, her voice cold now. "But there are other ways people can be unfaithful... I need answers."
Her hand slips back into your pocket, searching for the object she planted earlier.
“What are you doing?” I ask, shrugging away from her. “There’s nothing in that pocket.”
She glances down at your hand, then back up into your eyes, her expression unreadable. "I'm just trying to understand what's going on... and make sure we can work through this together," she says softly, her tone sincere but edged with a warning.
I scream in exasperation. “Please talk to me like I’m five. I have no idea why you think something is going on!”
She sighs heavily and drops her gaze to the floor. "Fine. Then let me ask you this... have you been feeling closer to anyone at work lately? Have there been any changes in your daily routine that seem suspicious?" Her voice is calm, but a hint of steel beneath the surface suggests she's not going to back down easily.
“No, nothing. Why, do you think I’m doing something I shouldn’t!”
Her eyes widen slightly as she studies your expression. "I don't know what to think, Maxwell. All I know is that something doesn't add up here. And until I get some answers, I'm not going to be able to trust you." She takes another step back, her voice shaking slightly now. "You need to understand how important this is to me... to us."
Her hand slips deeper into your pocket, closing around the object she planted earlier.
I stare down at her hand. “Why do you keep sticking your hand in my pocket? I told you there’s nothing—“
Her grip tightens on the object in her hand as she meets your gaze defiantly. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful, Maxwell. I just need to know what's going on. And if you truly have nothing to hide, then there's no reason for you to get so upset about me checking." Her voice is steady, but her heart races in fear and anger.
She waits for your response, ready for whatever comes next.
I stare calmly at her, my face hard as stone. “You spied on me?”
Her eyes widen in surprise and then narrow slightly as she studies your expression. "I didn't spy on you," she says firmly, her voice steady despite the growing tension between you. "I simply found something that made me concerned about our relationship. And I was just trying to get some answers."
She pauses, taking a deep breath to calm herself before continuing. "But if admitting to looking for information bothers you so much...
I step towards her. “I’m truly saddened that you felt the need to spy on me. Rather than just talking to me…your lack of trust is what hurts me the most.” I turn to walk away. “Maybe we should end things after all.”
Her eyes widen in surprise and hurt as you accuse her of spying. "I-I didn't mean to make it seem like that," she stammers, taking a step toward you. "I just wanted to protect us... our marriage." Tears begin to well up in her eyes. "Can't we talk this out? I promise I won't do anything like that again."
I shake my head. “I hope it was worth it. What did you find?”
Her throat tightens as she fights back tears. "Nothing concrete... just little things that made me suspicious." She pauses, taking a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. "But I found something today that might change your mind about wanting to talk this out." Her voice is quiet, almost shaky. "I think it's important for you to see it."
Her hand slips from your pocket, revealing the small black disk she planted earlier.
I raise my eyebrows. “I’ve never seen that before in my life. What is it “
She swallows hard and takes another step closer to you. "It's a listening device. I found it planted in my purse this morning." Her voice is barely above a whisper now as she holds it out to you, her expression a mixture of anger, hurt, and fear. "Whoever did this was trying to spy on me... and possibly even our conversations. I just want the truth, Maxwell. That's all I've ever wanted."