Likely with women. What rooms are they in?”
The receptionist gave a polite smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t disclose guest information.”
Claire rolled her eyes, pulled a folded bill from her wallet, and placed it on the counter.
“Try harder.”
He hesitated, then pocketed the bill. “About twenty minutes ago, two men checked into the suite.”
“Which suite?” I asked. He stayed silent, his lips pressed together.
Claire exhaled through her nose, reached into her wallet again, and handed him another bill. “The number and the key.”
This time, he nodded quickly. “Suite 407,” he said, handing her a keycard.
We rode the elevator in silence. When the doors opened, we walked down the hallway together, side by side, until we reached the room. Claire turned the key, pushed the door open, and both of us froze.
Inside, our husbands were standing by the window. Close. Too close.
And before either of them noticed us, one of them leaned in and kissed the other. I gasped. “What the hell—?”
Mark jumped back.
“Emma! It’s not what you think!”
“Oh, don’t you dare,” I snapped. “I don’t need to think anything.
I can see exactly what it is.”
There were faint lipstick marks on both their faces, his and Claire’s husband’s. My stomach twisted. “Who even are you?” I whispered.
Mark swallowed hard. “I’m still me. I just… I’ve been hiding this part of myself for a long time.”
“Hiding?” I laughed through tears.
“You should’ve been honest. You should’ve left before destroying everything we built.”
“I was scared,” he said quietly. “Scared of losing you, scared of what people would think.”
“You called me your best friend,” I said.
“But friends don’t lie like this.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’ll fix it, I promise.”
“You can’t fix this. I won’t stay married to a man who’s always going to be thinking about someone else.”
He looked broken.
“What about Lily?”
I paused, my voice softening. “I lost my husband today, Mark. But I hope our daughter doesn’t lose her father.”
He nodded slowly, tears in his eyes.
I turned and walked out, my chest hollow. Claire followed me into the hallway. She leaned against the wall, staring blankly ahead.
After a long silence, she said quietly, “Do you want to get a drink?”
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Please.”
We walked away together, two women who had both lost something, but finally, at least, knew the truth. Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends.
It might inspire them and brighten their day.
