Page 13 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

Why?

Because she’s afraid of losing him? Afraid of what he might discover?

I hand the tiny microphone to Mara.

“9:15 p.m.”

She fast-forwards to the correct timestamp and starts the restroom audio.

We listen in silence.

When the recording ends, Mara looks at me.

“That’s good,” she says quietly. “Really good.”

“Catching her off guard helped. Without it, she would’ve been more careful.”

“That was the hope,” Mara replies while copying the files onto the laptop. “Between this and your testimony, there’s enough circumstantial evidence pointing in her direction. Matthieu will know how to use it.”

I smile faintly at her blind faith in her partner: Inspector Matthieu Sanders.

He’s been leading the investigation ever since I filed charges against an unknown suspect for attempted murder.

Hugo turns toward me.

“You were right. Dante isn’t involved.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that they’re a couple,” Mara says evenly before I can answer. “Even shaken by your return, there’s no way to know where his loyalty will land once the shock wears off.”

She’s only doing her job.

Protecting me. Anticipating risks. Making sure I don’t let emotion cloud my judgment.

I know that.

But fuck.

Mara and Stephen leave soon afterward, leaving me under Youri’s protection.

“I’m staying the night,” Hugo tells me. “I’ll take one of the guest rooms.”

I try to protest, but he cuts me off immediately.

“I’m not changing my mind. And don’t worry about me. I’ll survive the coffee machine tomorrow morning.”

I smile at my friend, grateful for his presence.

Tonight wrung me dry, and somehow Hugo’s presence makes the house feel less empty.

“Thank you, Hugo. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I hug him briefly before heading back upstairs.

As sleep finally pulls me under, my thoughts drift to Dante.

Will he believe me if I let him hear the recording?

Or will he choose her instead?