Chapter 2: The Message I Was Never Supposed to Read
I read Ryan’s message three more times before I could convince myself the words were actually there.
*Emma, don't confront Megan until you know what she has been hiding.*
My thumb hovered over the screen.
I wanted to reply immediately.
I wanted to ask him everything.
What did he know?
How long had he known?
Why had he looked tired at dinner like he had been carrying a secret for months?
But then I looked up.
Daniel was still standing beside the bed.
Watching me.
“What did Ryan say?””
His voice was too casual.
That was what made me nervous.
Daniel had never been good at pretending not to care. When he was worried, he always tried to sound calm. It was the same tone he used when he told me everything was fine right before telling me something was definitely not fine.
I locked my phone.
“Why would Ryan text me?””
Daniel’s face changed slightly.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
Enough for me.
“I asked you first.””
“And I asked you why he would text me.””
He looked away.
“Maybe he wants to apologize for Megan.””
I studied him.
“Did he?””
“What?””
“Does Ryan know something happened?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
I sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Daniel.””
He ran a hand through his hair.
“Emma, don't do this.””
“Do what?””
“Turn one stupid moment into something bigger.””
I stared at him.
“One stupid moment?””
“Yes.””
“The message from Ryan is a stupid moment too?””
His shoulders stiffened.
“You talked to him?””
“He texted me.””
“What did he say?””
I almost laughed.
“You’re asking me what he said while refusing to tell me anything about Megan.””
“I don't know anything about Megan.””
“Then why are you scared?””
His eyes snapped to mine.
“I’m not scared.””
“You are.””
Silence filled the room.
The kind of silence that happens when two people are standing at the edge of something neither wants to admit.
Finally, Daniel sat down.
“Ryan and I talked a few weeks ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“About what?””
“Work.””
I looked at him.
“Really?””
“Yes.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“Why wouldn't you?””
“Because Ryan doesn't randomly text me after dinner telling me not to confront his wife unless it’s about work?””
Daniel looked down.
“I don't know why he did that.””
Another lie.
Small.
Careful.
But still a lie.
I got up and walked toward the window.
Outside, our backyard was dark except for the small solar lights along the fence.
A place where Daniel and I had spent countless nights talking.
A place where we had promised each other we would never become like other couples.
Never hide things.
Never let pride become more important than honesty.
Funny how promises always sounded strongest before someone broke them.
“Tell me about the jokes,” I said.
Daniel sighed.
“Emma.””
“Tell me.””
He looked exhausted.
“Megan has always been playful.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
He rubbed his face.
“She makes comments.””
“What kind of comments?””
“Flirty comments.””
My heart sank.
“Examples.””
He hesitated.
“Daniel.””
“She once joked that if she had met me before you, she would have stolen me.””
I stared at him.
“When?””
“Months ago.””
“And you didn't tell me?””
“I thought it was harmless.””
I turned around.
“Why?””
“Because I knew you would react like this.””
I felt something inside me go still.
“Like what?””
“Like you’re reacting now.””
I nodded slowly.
“So you hid it because you knew it would hurt me.””
“No.””
“That’s exactly what you just said.””
He stood.
“I didn't want to create drama between you and your best friend.””
I laughed quietly.
“My best friend?””
“Yes.””
“You were protecting my friendship with her?””
“Yes.””
“By keeping her behavior secret?””
He had no answer.
I looked down at my wedding ring.
A simple band.
Something I had chosen because Daniel told me he wanted a marriage built on trust.
Not perfection.
Not never making mistakes.
Trust.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, I didn't hide it.
Daniel saw Ryan’s name.
“Don't answer.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because this is between us.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“This stopped being just between us when Megan sat on your lap in front of thirty people.””
Daniel frowned.
“You’re really going to keep bringing that up?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I’m trying to understand why everyone else seems to know what’s happening except me.””
That made him go quiet.
I answered the phone.
“Hello?””
There was a pause.
Then Ryan’s voice came through.
“Emma?””
“Yes.””
“You shouldn’t have answered.””
I looked at Daniel.
“He knows I’m on the phone.””
Another pause.
“Is he there?””
“Yes.””
Ryan exhaled.
“Okay.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Ryan, what is this about?””
I held the phone slightly away.
Ryan heard him.
“Daniel.””
The way he said his name made my skin crawl.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Just disappointed.
“Tell her,” Ryan said.
Daniel froze.
“Tell her what?””
“About the messages.””
My hand tightened around the phone.
“What messages?””
Ryan went silent.
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Ryan.””
“No,” Ryan said.
“She deserves to know.””
“Know what?”” I asked.
Ryan lowered his voice.
“Megan has been messaging Daniel.””
I looked at my husband.
He looked away.
The room seemed to tilt.
“How long?””
“Emma—”
“How long, Ryan?””
“A few months.””
Daniel immediately said, “It wasn't like that.””
I turned toward him.
“You said there were no messages.””
His face went pale.
“I said nothing inappropriate happened.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
Ryan spoke again.
“Emma, I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.””
I closed my eyes.
“How did you find out?””
A long pause.
Then Ryan answered.
“Because she wasn’t careful.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Ryan, stop.””
But Ryan continued.
“She sent him something by mistake.””
My throat tightened.
“What did she send?””
Nobody spoke.
Then Ryan said quietly:
“A photo.””
I felt cold.
“What kind of photo?””
Daniel looked at me.
His eyes were full of panic now.
Not guilt.
Panic.
“Emma,” he said.
I turned away from him.
“Ryan.””
Another pause.
“She sent Daniel a picture that was meant for me.””
The room went completely silent.
I didn't understand.
Or maybe I understood too quickly.
“What picture?””
Ryan’s voice dropped.
“A picture of Megan in a dress.””
I waited.
That was all?
A dress?
Then why did everyone sound like the world had shifted?
“What’s wrong with a picture of her in a dress?””
Ryan hesitated.
“Because the caption said…”
He stopped.
“Ryan.””
“I’m sorry.””
“Because the caption said what?””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Emma, listen to me.””
I held up my hand.
“No.””
My eyes stayed on the phone.
“Ryan. Finish the sentence.””
The silence on the other end lasted only a few seconds.
But it felt endless.
Finally, Ryan said:
“The caption said, ‘I wish you were the one seeing me wear this tonight.’”
I looked at Daniel.
He didn't deny it.
That hurt more than anything.
“Did you respond?”” I whispered.
Daniel opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
“Daniel.””
“I told her it was inappropriate.””
“When?””
“After she sent it.””
“After?””
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“So you did respond.””
“I was trying to shut it down.””
“And then?””
“Nothing happened.””
I looked at the phone.
Ryan was still there.
“Did he tell you about the other messages?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Ryan.””
“No,” Ryan said.
His voice sounded tired.
“Emma needs to know.””
My heart pounded.
“What other messages?””
Daniel moved toward me.
“Emma, please.””
I stepped back.
“What other messages?””
Ryan answered.
“She’s been telling him things.””
“What things?””
A pause.
Then:
“She said you were lucky because he was bored.””
My stomach dropped.
Daniel went completely still.
“She said you didn’t appreciate him enough.””
I felt tears burning my eyes.
“No.””
Ryan continued.
“She said if she were married to him, she would make him feel wanted.””
The room became unbearably quiet.
I looked at Daniel.
“Did she say that?””
He didn’t answer.
And I knew.
I knew before he spoke.
“Yes.””
The word was barely audible.
I swallowed.
“How long have you known?””
“Emma—”
“How long?””
Daniel looked down.
“Three weeks.””
Three weeks.
Three weeks of dinners.
Three weeks of waking up beside me.
Three weeks of kissing me goodbye before work.
Three weeks of knowing my best friend had been trying to get closer to him.
And he said nothing.
I wiped my cheek before the tear could fall.
“You let me sit there tonight and find out by watching her touch you.””
“I didn't know she would do that.””
“But you knew enough.””
He looked broken.
“I thought it would stop.””
I stared at him.
“Why would it stop?””
He had no answer.
Because deep down, we both knew the truth.
People don't stop crossing boundaries when nobody tells them there is a boundary.
Ryan’s voice came through the phone.
“Emma.””
I answered quietly.
“Yes?””
“There’s something else.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course there was.
There was always something else.
“What?””
Ryan hesitated.
“Something I found yesterday.””
Daniel immediately looked alarmed.
“Ryan, don't.””
My eyes moved to him.
“What did you find?””
Ryan took a breath.
“Messages between Megan and someone else.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Who?””
A pause.
Then Ryan said:
“Emma… the person she was talking to wasn’t the only man she was trying to get close to.””
I looked at Daniel.
The fear on his face told me one thing.
He already knew.
“Who else?”” I whispered.
May you like
Ryan’s answer came softly.
And the name he said next was the last one I expected.
