Indeed, this is the moment she’ll exact vengeance on her spouse. A week ago, she overheard his conversation with his mistress, and that’s when her plan took shape…

Eventually, Kevin, looking at his wife’s unsuccessful works, suggested that she quit. Stay at home, take care of the household, he said. And Miranda agreed.

They lived in her late parents’ apartment, where she had spent her entire childhood. Yes, being at home and surrounded by walls helped. She immersed herself in domestic chores, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and trips to the store.

Her dreams of a career crumbled, but Miranda didn’t mourn them. Now, she lived solely for her husband’s career. And Kevin was a true professional.

Under his guidance, the magazine became even more popular in the city. Andrea, who occasionally visited her friend, would talk about the affairs of the editorial team. Miranda listened attentively, and what interested her the most was how Kevin managed everything.

Kevin is the best editor, Andrea smiled. Oh, Miranda, you’re so lucky with your husband. I know, Miranda nodded.

She was happy to hear that Kevin was handling everything well. And there was something else that pleased her. Throughout all these years, Kevin never gave her a reason to be jealous, even though he worked surrounded by attractive girls.

There were so many pretty girls in the office, but he only had eyes for Miranda and rushed home in the evenings. Of course, there were times when he stayed late, but those were just minor things. Miranda understood that the office had an irregular work schedule, meetings, presentations, and deadlines to meet for the magazine.

She was also grateful to her husband after that unsuccessful pregnancy. She couldn’t give Kevin a child, but he convinced her that they were good together, just the two of them. Whenever Ms. Caroline visited them, she would constantly talk about how lucky her son was to have such a caring wife.

But she interacted with Miranda more formally than as a relative. However, it didn’t bother the young woman. Ms. Caroline was her mother-in-law, what could she do? But everything was good with Kevin, and that was the most important thing.

On that Sunday evening, all these memories rushed back. Miranda didn’t even notice how she started to iron Kevin’s shirt, then his suit, and a few bedsheets as well. Her husband sat at the laptop, then started writing something.

Each of them was immersed in their own tasks. The ringing of the phone broke the silence. Miranda flinched as if awakening from her memories.

Kevin picked up his mobile phone, eyebrows raised in surprise. Mom. Why is she calling so late, he said aloud and brought the phone to his ear.

Hello? What? Yes, I can. There was a perplexed expression on Kevin’s face, and Miranda noticed it. She was surprised, but even more surprised when her husband waved her off as if to say, I’ll go and talk to mom, and went to the bathroom.

Usually, Miranda didn’t listen to Kevin’s conversations, but curiosity overwhelmed her. Why was her mother-in-law calling so late, and why did she not want Miranda to listen? She approached the bathroom door and rested her head against it. Kevin turned on the tap, so it was difficult to understand what the son and mother were talking about, but Miranda strained her ears to listen.

You said it was all over, that it’s problems again, came from the bathroom. Miranda tensed up. What kind of problems were they talking about that she didn’t know about? It was strange because they didn’t keep secrets from each other.

And how much more do you want? Kevin’s voice was heard. What nonsense. Maybe it’s not even my child, he whispered fiercely.

Miranda couldn’t make out the rest, but that was enough for her. She froze in horror. How? Does Kevin have a child? That means he’s cheating on her, after all.

He wasn’t talking to his mother, but she, the fool, wore rose-colored glasses and lived blissfully, completely convinced that her husband loved her while he was out there having a child with someone else. On shaky legs, Miranda returned to the room. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard, but Kevin said those words, my child.

True, he expressed doubt, but that was secondary now. The main thing was that he had betrayed her. Miranda’s initial impulse was to confront her husband as soon as he came out of the bathroom.

But what would she accuse him of? Claiming she overheard something? He would twist it around. He would try to convince her, swear to his innocence, and then he would clam up, and Miranda would never know the truth. She had to come up with something else.

Kevin emerged from the bathroom looking lost, said he was going to bed, kissed Miranda, and disappeared into the bedroom. Are you still starting at nine o’clock tomorrow, as usual? Miranda surprisingly asked calmly. No.

I need to go earlier, Kevin responded. I have to stop by my mom’s too. What’s wrong with her? Why did she call? Miranda asked, trying to appear indifferent.

Oh, she ran out of medication. She asked me to bring some, Kevin explained. Miranda only made a vague sound in response.

All night, she lay awake, listening to her husband’s peaceful breathing. He’s sleeping, without a trace of shame. But then again, what did she expect? He’s a healthy man, and he wants to have offspring.

It’s her fault for not being capable. Miranda sobbed quietly, feeling sorry for herself. But is this how it should be? If he started something with someone else and had a child, he should have told her, at least that would have been more honest.

Instead, he sleeps with her, lives under the same roof, and sneaks into another woman’s bed. How disgusting. As she drifted off to sleep, Miranda decided to follow her husband tomorrow and see where he went so early, in the morning.

She didn’t have a concrete plan, it was all improvisation. Follow that grey SUV, she practically jumped into the car of the first taxi driver she found. The elderly man understood and started driving behind her husband’s car.

Who are we following? He cautiously asked. Isn’t it obvious? Miranda snapped. Well, it’s clear, don’t trust your husband.

Miranda didn’t say anything. She simply watched Kevin’s car ahead of them. Miranda realized they were heading in the opposite direction of the city, now she was certain they weren’t going to his mother’s.

Ms. Caroline lived in the neighboring district, but they had already crossed the river. Soon, Kevin’s car stopped at a small park. Miranda asked the driver to drive very slowly, and she saw Kevin approach a young woman, talk to her for two minutes, hand her an envelope, and walk away.

He gave money to his lover, Miranda thought with anger. For their child. She became angry, and then she burst into tears.

Hey, sweetheart, what’s wrong? The elderly driver gently touched her shoulder. Why are you crying? Nothing is clear yet. Your husband just met some girl.

But it doesn’t seem like they have a relationship. He simply handed her an envelope. Maybe she cornered him and begged for money.

Did you consider that? Even if that’s the case, Miranda sobbed, I understand perfectly why. They have a child. I see, the man scratched his head.

Well, then you should ask your husband directly about it instead of crying and spying on him. Yes, you’re right, Miranda sighed, wiping her tear-stained cheeks. That’s what I’ll do.

But back home, she decided to take a different approach. She needed to ask Andrea if she knew anything. Maybe there were rumors about her husband at work, and Andrea just didn’t want to tell her outright.

A mistress? Her friend’s eyes widened. Miranda, no, of course not. No one even has such thoughts.

Kevin loves only you. They were sitting in a cafe near the office. Miranda had called her friend during the lunch break to ask her directly about everything.

She decided not to mention the encounter with the unknown woman for now. What if Kevin got involved in something bad, and she would only be putting him in a difficult position by revealing what she saw? Did you ever have such thoughts? Andrea was surprised. Kevin is as loyal as a rock.

No woman can sway him. There have been girls trying to flirt with him, but he never, and I mean never, even gives a hint of a double meaning to anyone. Kevin is a very decent man.

You’re just overthinking it. And where did these thoughts even come from in your head? I don’t know, Miranda shrugged. It just seemed that way, maybe.

Exactly, it just seemed that way, maybe, her friend reassured her passionately, easing Miranda’s worries a bit. But then, who was that stranger in the park? And the conversation she overheard in the bathroom? What child was he talking about? These thoughts still troubled Miranda, but she decided to remain silent for now. Time would reveal what happens next.

She would simply observe. A week had passed, and everything seemed unchanged. She returned home from the store, prepared dinner for her husband, and lay down…