Chapter 2

The overpowering scent of the roses had masked it before.

But as Liam leaned in, I caught that familiar smell again. I also noticed the hair at the back of his neck was damp.

So I reached up and touched it. "Why is your hair wet?"

His body stiffened noticeably for a split second, then he chuckled:

"Didn't you notice it started raining outside? I got a little soaked buying you flowers on my way home."

I pulled back the curtains. Indeed, at some point, a light rain had started falling outside.

Liam's explanation sounded perfectly reasonable, but my suspicion didn't lessen a bit.

I didn't let it show, though. I took the flowers with a big, happy smile:

"Thanks, honey. You should go take a hot shower right away, don't want you catching a cold."

He seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and without another word, headed straight for the bathroom.

Lying in bed that night, my mind was replaying everything from today: the leak always starting when Liam was away, the suspicious sound of water, that scent, the fleeting figure, and his sudden reason for coming home.

All these things together just felt off. Something wasn't right.

Tomorrow, I had to go with Liam and confront that neighbor myself. The next morning, as soon as I placed breakfast on the table, Liam leaned over.

He kissed me, his tone casual:

"Honey, I just tried contacting the upstairs neighbor. He said he'll have someone come fix it today."

My milk glass paused mid-air. I looked up at him:

"You have their contact information? Could you give it to me? That way, if anything happens when you're on a trip, I can contact them directly."

But Liam shook his head, playfully teasing:

"It's a guy living up there, and he looks like a total creep. My gorgeous wife, I wouldn't want him bothering you."

"Besides," he added, "once this leak is fixed, we won't have any reason to interact with him again."

I didn't say anything, just stirred my oatmeal, a new wave of suspicion swirling in my mind.

Yesterday, I'd distinctly heard a woman's voice. Why was Liam telling me it was a man?

Could it be a couple living up there?

Over the next two days, I had to leave for a business trip myself due to work.

But for two days straight, I was completely out of sorts, my mind consumed by those lingering questions.

Finally, after finishing my work, I decided to head home early. I tried to open the door with my key, but for some reason, it was double-locked from the inside.

After about two minutes, Liam finally opened the door.

"Honey, why are you back? Weren't you supposed to be back tomorrow?"

I looked at his flustered expression and forced a smile:

"I missed you, so I came back early. What were you doing? Why was the door double-locked?"

Liam pointed to the apron he was wearing. "I was just cooking! Probably locked it out of habit when I came in. You're back just in time! Go wash your hands, dinner's ready."

With that, Liam turned back to the kitchen, busying himself with cooking.

Since we got married, I'd barely set foot in the kitchen whenever he was home. Everyone said I'd married a wonderful man.

On top of that, he was always big on holidays and special occasions, constantly showering me with gifts, big and small.

Watching his busy figure, a sudden wave of guilt washed over me.

Maybe I really was just being too sensitive. It was probably just a coincidence. How could I even suspect him of cheating?

I nodded happily and walked over to check out the food, but then I saw a dish that shouldn't have been there.

My heart sank. I said coldly, "Why did you make spicy shrimp pasta? We’re both allergic to shrimp, remember?"

At that moment, the storm of suspicion I’d just tried to quell surged back, even stronger than before.