Page 100 of The Bad Husband

I wrap a towel around my chest and put my slippers on before mulling over what to do with my dress.

Let’s hope Henrietta is not into snooping around.

What if he missed collecting some of those buttons? What if she suspects something happened to my dress and comes looking for incriminating evidence?

I roll the dress, put it into a bag, and tuck the bag in one of my suitcases. I can’t imagine she’ll start searching through my things.

Then, I walk into the room and become restless.

He said I should go to sleep. How could I sleep now? It’s impossible. My brain buzzes with words.

Not a real marriage.

We were a couple once but not anymore.

One day this house might be yours.

I smile.

I feel bad.

I have a feeling there’s more to the story.

There must be.

Running a hand through my hair, I head to the patio doors. I slide them open and walk out.

The heat is hard to take this time of year, and yet I feel nothing. All I want to know is what happens downstairs.

All I want to know is what these two people are to each other. And why do they always go away and return unexpectedly?

It’s like they’re fighting each other all the time.

For sure, he didn’t expect her to come home this evening.

I’m so unsettled that a new idea pops into my head.

Looking around, I search for something to wear. My pajamas.

Not the shorts and cami set. I need something different. The last thing I want is to look sexy.

I dash to the closet and look for my other set. Long pants and a top.

I pick up the pants and toss the T-shirt on before I run my hands through my hair to make it look like a rats’ next, and then I put on a robe.

The heat slithers into the room through the open door, so before I leave I close it, and the air is crisp again.

Yawning to get into my character, I slide out the door and listen.

They’re still in the kitchen. They’re not fighting. Not shouting at each other. His ploy must have worked.

What did he say to her? That the power had just gone out when she stepped into the house?

That’s why I need to know what’s going on.

I move down the corridor and take the stairs to the first floor.

I stop at the bottom of the stairs and listen.