Unraveling
1224 Words
Chapter 6
Unraveling
Maya
My phone buzzed as I was walking into my office and I pulled it out of my white coat as I sat down in my chair. It had been a long day, and it was only noon.
A text from Isabelle Ryker, the private investigator I had hired. Not just any investigator. Isabelle was the best. Ruthless, discreet, and relentless. When I realized I needed someone to uncover the truth, I didn’t hesitate. She was the only one I trusted for something like this.
Isabelle: Waiting for the final details. Will send information when available.
I stared at the screen for several seconds, the words burning into my mind.
She had only taken the case a few days ago. I hadn’t expected to hear anything for at least a week. My heart thudded in my chest as I stood at my desk, phone clutched in my hand.
It was quiet. David wasn’t home. The house felt colder than usual, even though the spring sun streamed in through the windows.
I called the number immediately. It rang twice before Isabelle’s calm, clipped voice answered.
"Maya."
"That was fast," I said, already bracing myself.
"There’s more here than just infidelity," she replied. "I don’t have everything yet, but what I’ve found so far suggests your husband is involved in something deeper."
I gripped the edge of the counter. "What do you mean, deeper?"
"There are financial irregularities connected to an account he recently opened. It’s under a business alias tied to someone outside your household. Not illegal in itself, but the timing and usage are suspicious. I believe the woman he is seeing may be involved as well. "There is more, but I need to confirm before I give you anymore information,” she explained.
My stomach turned.
"Do you know who she is yet?"
"Not yet. I’m close. I expect to have a full report, including her identity, within forty-eight hours. "I wanted to inform you in case you needed to prepare for what comes next," Isabelle told me with a sigh.
Prepare.
I whispered a “thank you,” hung up, and placed my phone face-down on the counter. For a long time, I didn’t move. My eyes locked on a spot across the office, heart racing as scenarios played out in my mind.
David wasn’t just cheating. He was hiding money. Creating fake business accounts. This didn’t sound like the man I knew… but did I really know my husband? I thought David was a faithful man who loved me unconditionally.
And I had almost given up everything for him.
I grabbed a glass of water and sipped it slowly, trying to ease the burn in my throat. The silence was suffocating, and I needed to talk to someone. Not about the investigation, not about the account—not yet. But about the affair. About how I felt like I was unraveling from the inside.
I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t get the suffocating weight off my shoulders. And I could think of only one person who would understand my pain.
Jessica.
She was the only person who had known me before David. The only one who had walked beside me through heartbreak and success. If anyone understood, it would be her.
I pulled up her number and hit call.
She answered on the fourth ring, slightly out of breath. "Maya!"
"Hey. "Did I catch you at a bad time?" I asked hesitantly.
"No, no," she said quickly. "I was just... doing some yoga." What’s up?"
I laughed lightly, appreciating the normalcy of it. "I needed to hear a familiar voice."
"Is everything okay? "You sound off," Jessica asked, concern lasing her voice.
I hesitated. I didn’t want to just throw my problems at Jessica, especially when she sounded so happy. My throat tightened. I’m not sure where to start. But first, tell me how you are. We haven’t really caught up in a while."
"I’m good. "Really good, actually," she said. "I’ve been seeing someone."
"Oh?" I asked, a bit shocked. Jessica wasn’t one to keep secrets. Jessica had told her she was in town to fix her relationship with her son and nothing more. She wanted to be a better mother and pull her son out from under his father’s influence.
"Maya, he’s amazing. I didn’t want to say anything at first because it was casual, but... I don’t know. "It’s been getting serious," she exclaimed. “He’s more than I could ever ask for. He’s caring, attentive and showers me with gifts. And this man is amazing in bed. The best I have ever been with.”
I felt a spark of happiness for her. Despite everything, I wanted her to find someone kind. Someone who made her feel seen.
I could do without the extra information.
"That’s great, Jess. You deserve that. "I’m so happy for you." I tell her honestly.
"Thank you. You have no idea how long it’s been since I felt like this. He’s smart, charming, successful. And he actually listens when I talk. It’s refreshing."
"What does he do?"
"He’s in healthcare. Sort of. Administrative side, I think... High-level stuff. "He’s very private, which I respect," Jessica explains.
A thread of unease tugged at me, but I pushed it away. I wasn’t going to project my paranoia onto her moment of happiness. Jessica deserved all the happiness after her ex-husband destroyed her life.
"That sounds promising. How did you meet him?"
"Through a mutual acquaintance. We bumped into each other at a fundraiser last month. Instant connection." She laughed into the phone.
As she spoke, I tried to focus on her voice instead of the dull ache in my chest. I remember a time when David brought the same laughter to the surface. I missed the love I thought I had in life.
"You’ll have to tell me more when we get together," I said softly.
"Absolutely. We’re due for a wine and gossip session."
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. "Yeah. Actually, I called because I wanted to talk to you about something."
There was a pause.
Then a muffled male voice was all I could hear.
"Jessica?" I asked.
It took a minute but she finally replied.
"Oh. Sorry. Someone’s at the door. "Can I call you later?" She asked.
I swallowed my disappointment. "Sure."
"Are you okay?" She asked hesitantly.
"I will be,” I say, more of a promise to myself than to Jessica.
“How about we meet on Saturday, and we can talk in person?” She asked.
“Yes, Saturday works, Jess.” I tell her, feeling elated that I would be about to confide in her soon.
“And you promise you’re alright?” She asks again.
"Promise. "Love you," I tell her.
"Love you too."
The call ended, and I was left staring at my phone again.
I didn’t know what I was feeling anymore. Grief? Rage? Suspicion?
I glanced at the plush bear on the desk. The one David thought was symbolic of our future. Of starting a family.
I didn’t know what our future looked like anymore.
But I knew I would find out. Even if it destroyed everything.
Especially if it did.
Especially if it destroyed David and his mistress in the process.
- Writer
