chapter1

Six years into our marriage, my husband always said he was too busy to come see me.

So I decided to fly back and surprise him myself.

But when I walked into the coffee shop he frequented the most, the cashier sneered and asked me,

“Why are you harassing my boss’s husband?”

For six years, I had been working on a classified NASA project, believing my husband was just as busy with his own work.

Only now did I discover that he had already built another perfect family.

Even more ridiculous—he had been using **my benefits** to support them all this time.

When I exposed the truth, he didn’t apologize. Instead, he threatened me:

“Six years of your career—are you really willing to destroy it just to expose me?”

Until the moment NASA Security and the FBI knocked on the door,

the lie he had spent six years weaving finally collapsed.

……

It was my sixth year working on NASA's core project team. The moment the project wrapped, I didn't tell a soul — I just booked a flight straight back to Houston.

Kevin had once again said he couldn't get away. He always said the research kept him too busy to visit, that he'd come during my next leave, no matter what. I understood, so I decided to come back myself. Give him a surprise.

I wanted to see his face. I wanted to see that look of pure, startled joy.

The cab dropped me off in front of his favorite coffee shop. I figured I'd bring him a cup.

I pushed open the door. A young woman stood behind the counter, flashing a wide, warm smile.

"Welcome in! What can I get for you?"

I glanced at the menu. "An Americano, light on the sugar."

"Sure thing. Is this for someone?" she asked, already working the machine.

I smiled. "It is."

"Oh?" Her eyes lit up. "For who? I know most of the regulars pretty well around here."

"Kevin," I said. "Kevin Miller."

Her hands froze.

She looked up, the smile gone. Her eyes went guarded — scanning me up and down.

"Why are you buying coffee for my boss's husband?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

She set the cup down hard. Her voice turned sharp:

"I said, why are you harassing my boss's husband? Let me be very clear — my boss and her husband are very happy together. Not every woman needs to throw herself at a married man."

I stood there, lost. I couldn't figure out what she was talking about.

The girl gave a cold little laugh and pointed at the wall. "See for yourself. Is that the guy you're talking about?"

I looked where she was pointing.

There was a large framed photo on the wall.

A woman with her arm around a man, both of them grinning — the coffee shop in the background.

I had never seen the woman before.

The man — I could have recognized his silhouette with my eyes shut.

Kevin.

My Kevin.

It was like someone had driven a fist straight into my chest.

The girl looked at me with contempt, turned, and poured the just-finished coffee down the drain. She looked me over one more time, eyes full of disdain:

"I've seen your type before. Our boss and her husband are solid. Don't think buying someone a coffee is going to get you anywhere. Get out before I call someone."

"No, I really — "

I tried to explain, but the words lodged in my throat.

She ignored me, walked to the corner, and pulled out her phone.

"There's a woman here asking for Kevin... yeah. Can you come over?"

I stood rooted to the spot. I wanted to leave. My legs wouldn't move.

I wanted to demand answers. My lips were trembling. Nothing came out.

Less than five minutes later, the door swung open.

A woman walked in pushing a stroller.

Blonde, flawless makeup, a fitted dress, heels clicking against the floor.

She walked straight up to me and looked me up and down, her voice razor-sharp:

"You? You're the one trying to buy my husband a coffee?"