Before being with me, Clark was a notorious playboy. Known for his smooth talk and carefree attitude, he chased thrills and new romances, leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. His motto, "No strings attached," perfectly reflected his philosophy: love was a game and emotions were mere obstacles.

Then I came along.

To everyone's surprise—including my own—Clark changed. He turned his back on his frivolous past, showering me with love and affection. He was attentive, thoughtful and utterly devoted, surprising me with gifts, preparing my favorite meals and holding me close as though I were the most precious thing in his world. Friends and family marveled at how I had 'tamed' him. I believed them, that I was the reason he had become the man I thought he wanted to be.

Until the day I stumbled upon something that shattered that illusion.

I hadn't been snooping. It was just there—a casual comment he had left on a private group chat, one that painted a chillingly different picture of him: [Getting away with cheating? All about the game. I usually play the good husband until after she pops out a kid.]

***

8:00 PM.

After a long, hot shower, I wrapped myself in a thick robe and sank into the plush sofa, phone in hand. Lately, I had developed a habit of reading news articles before bed—mostly reports on domestic issues, ranging from marital disputes to cases of violence. Tonight, however, the stream of grim headlines hit differently. My fingers trembled slightly as I scrolled, my chest tightening with a mixture of fear and anger.

I hadn't even noticed I was muttering curses under my breath until Clark, who had been slicing fruit at the kitchen counter, walked over. He set down the knife and wiped his hands on a towel before approaching me.

"Hey," he said softly, crouching in front of me and gently patting my head. "Don't get too worked up, baby. I would never do that." His voice was calm, reassuring.

Before I could respond, he picked up a slice of apple and brought it to my lips. "Here, have some. Sweet things are supposed to help with stress, right?" His eyes twinkled mischievously as he added, "Besides, I don't want my queen going to bed with a frown."

I couldn't help but smile, albeit faintly. Clark always had a way of disarming me, of diffusing my darkest moods with effortless charm. I took the apple slice and leaned back, allowing myself to relax as he cracked a few silly jokes.

Just as the tension in my chest began to ease, his phone rang, breaking the moment.

Clark glanced at the screen and I caught a flicker of something in his expression—was it an irritation? He pressed his lips into a thin line before answering, his voice low but composed.

"Hello?" He paused, listening intently. "Do I have to go now? Can't I skip this?" His tone was measured, but I noticed the slight clenching of his jaw as he rose to his feet and walked a few steps away.

"That serious, huh? Alright, give me a moment." With a sigh, he ended the call and turned back toward me. His expression softened, but there was a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"Baby, something urgent came up at the office. I might be home late tonight."

I could tell he hated breaking his promise to stay home with me today. He'd been looking forward to it as much as I had. Yet, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him—something I had seen more and more in recent months.

I reached out, brushing my fingers through his hair in a soothing gesture. "It's okay," I said gently. "You go ahead. I'll be fine."

His relief was palpable as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Thank you. I won't be too late."

I watched him hurry to the bedroom, where he swiftly changed into work clothes, sending rapid replies on his phone between steps. Once ready, he slipped on his shoes at the entryway, gave me one last apologetic smile and stepped outside.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone in the quiet apartment. I sighed, picking up my phone to send him a quick text.

[Drive safe, hubby. Thank you for all your hard work!]

The familiar sound of a message notification echoed in the entryway. Confused, I stood up and walked over. That was when I saw it—Clark's phone, resting on the cabinet where he had apparently forgotten it.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "What a scatterbrain."

Reaching down to pick up the phone, I was about to place it in a drawer when something caught my eye. The screen hadn't locked and a chat was still open—a chat with someone named "J."

Frowning, I skimmed through the messages:

[What are you doing?]

[Why aren't you replying?]

[Where are you now?]

[Hurry up. The girls have been waiting.]

I blinked, my heart thudding in my chest. This wasn't Clark's usual WhatsApp account. The number associated with it was unfamiliar, one I had never seen before.

Clark had always been open with his phone. I knew his passcodes, had seen every app he used and he never gave me a reason to doubt him. So why... why was there an account I didn't recognize?

My hands trembled slightly as I navigated the app, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. The account name was Clark's and he was part of a group chat with over fifty members—people I didn't know, talking about plans that didn't sound work-related at all.

Something wasn't right. My gut twisted as I tried to ignore the sinking feeling creeping through me.

My breath caught in my throat, cold and sharp like a blade pressed against my neck. A sense of unreality washed over me as my eyes stayed locked on the screen. At that moment, someone in the group chat mentioned Clark directly:

[You're amazing, bro.]

[When are you going to post a tutorial on this?]

A chill crept down my spine as I clicked on the referenced message. It was Clark's reply to a question from another group member: [Bro, what to do if you feel uninterested in your girlfriend but can't break up with her?]

Clark's answer was casual, almost flippant: [Fake it. I usually keep up the act until after she pops out a kid.]

I scrolled further, my breath hitching as I read another of his replies: [And what to do if you're about to get caught cheating?]

His response was maddeningly indifferent, as if relationships meant nothing to him: [That really depends on how good you are at lying. I'll post a tutorial when I have time.]

His words cut deeper than any knife. They weren't just detached—they were callous, cold and devoid of any genuine feeling. Rage built up inside me, tightening my chest until it hurt to breathe. My fingers trembled as they slid across the phone screen, the motion mechanical and distant, as if they belonged to someone else. Every new message I read added fuel to the fire burning within me.

For a moment, I felt paralyzed. The man I had trusted, the man who had promised me forever, was speaking about our relationship as though it were some elaborate game. Was everything a lie?

I inhaled deeply, forcing down the wave of emotions threatening to consume me. My hands felt numb as I reached for my own phone and began taking pictures of the messages—one by one, carefully capturing every damning word. My heart pounded loudly in my ears, each beat echoing like a warning drum. I was so focused that I barely noticed the distant hum of the elevator.

Ding.

The sound pulled me out of my trance and my head snapped up. My pulse quickened. In this apartment building, each floor had only one unit, meaning the elevator could only be stopping for one person: Clark.

Panic surged through me. I quickly turned off the phone screen and placed it back on the entryway cabinet exactly as I had found it. Forcing my legs to move, I walked calmly back to the sofa and sat down, my mind racing. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat more frantic than the last.

The electronic lock chimed softly, followed by the familiar mechanical voice, "Welcome home, Mr. Hill."

The door swung open and Clark stepped inside. Sweat glistened on his forehead, his breath coming slightly fast as though he had rushed back. His eyes immediately searched the room until they landed on me. There was something almost nervous in his gaze.

I forced a look of mild surprise onto my face and asked, "Why are you back?" My voice sounded calm, but inside, I was anything but.

Clark swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "Forgot my phone," he said, his tone casual, though I didn't miss the way his eyes flicked toward the entryway cabinet.

I watched him closely, every detail of his body language burned into my mind. As he saw his phone still sitting there, untouched, his shoulders visibly relaxed and he offered me a sheepish smile. Waving the phone lightly, he said, "What a scatterbrain, huh?"

He turned to leave, already slipping his shoes back on. "I'm heading out again, baby."

"Wait."

I got up and walked over to him, raising an eyebrow as I pointed at the phone in his hand. "This isn't the first time you've forgotten your phone. Why'd you rush back? Is there some secret on it?"

Clark chuckled softly, pinching my cheek in that familiar, affectionate way of his. His tone was playful, laced with indulgence and a hint of exasperation. "Here, take it. Check it all you want. You know I have nothing to hide."

I slowly reached out and took the phone from him, hesitating just long enough for him to notice. His smile remained, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

With deliberate slowness, I entered the unlock password. The screen lit up, but this time, displaying the familiar wallpaper of us—smiling, happy, a picture-perfect couple.

Swiping up, I opened WhatsApp. There it was: his usual account, complete with our picture as his profile photo and our chat pinned at the top. I scrolled through his messages, but everything seemed normal. The group chat I had seen earlier was gone.

My heart sank as confusion clouded my mind. Was I imagining things? No. I had seen it. I had proof—the pictures on my phone. But how was it gone now? Did he have two phones?

I wanted to confront him, to demand answers, but the words caught in my throat, tangled with the rising tide of emotion I could barely contain. Instead, I forced a weak smile and handed the phone back to him. My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Drive safe."

Clark frowned slightly, concern flickering across his features. He reached out, cupping my face in both hands, his thumbs gently brushing my cheeks. "What's wrong, baby? Are you not feeling well?"

I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheek to stop the tears from spilling over. I didn't trust myself to speak. One word and I feared everything would unravel.

Clark sighed, then pulled me into a warm embrace. "Forget it. I'll just stay home and keep you company."

His words, once so comforting, now felt suffocating. I couldn't bear the thought of him staying. Gently, I pushed him back. "Didn't you say there's something urgent at the office? You should go."

He hesitated, his brow furrowing in concern. For a moment, he looked as though he might argue, but then he relented, nodding reluctantly. "Alright. I'll be back as soon as I can."

I watched as he turned and left, his figure lingering in the doorway for a moment before the door closed behind him.

The instant the door clicked shut, my legs gave out and I collapsed onto the floor. A sob tore from my throat, muffled by the sleeve of my robe as I pressed it against my mouth. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

Beyond sadness and pain, what consumed me more was fear—cold, gnawing fear that gripped my heart in an iron vice. The realization that Clark had saved a partially written "tutorial" in his notes app, titled [How to Not Get Caught Cheating and Make Your Girlfriend Love You], made my stomach churn. If the version of Clark I saw in that secret WhatsApp account was his true self, then every tender touch, every affectionate smile and every loving gesture over the years had been nothing more than a meticulously crafted lie.

The thought alone made my body tremble. A wave of cold dread surged through me, leaving me momentarily paralyzed on the floor. It felt as though the very foundation of my life had cracked and I was standing on the edge of a bottomless abyss.

I didn't know how long I sat there, frozen in place. The ticking of the wall clock sounded distant, almost like a cruel reminder of time moving forward while I remained trapped in this moment of horror. Finally, when I felt a sliver of strength returning to my limbs, I braced myself against the floor and shakily stood up. My legs felt weak, as if they might give out again at any moment, but I forced myself to stay upright.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to clear my mind. One step at a time, Maya. I put on my coat, grabbed my purse and headed out the door. My fingers gripped the door handle tightly before I pulled it shut behind me, the sound echoing hollowly in the empty hallway.

***

The night outside was cold, the wind biting against my skin as I stepped out of the apartment building. The city lights blurred past the car window in a kaleidoscope of colors as I rode toward Clark's company. Memories of our time together replayed in my mind like an endless montage, each moment now tainted by doubt. Every smile he'd given me, every whispered promise of forever, seemed to twist into something sinister. Was anything real?

I clenched my hands tightly in my lap, nails digging into my palms. I needed answers. I wouldn't let this fear fester in silence. Pain was inevitable, but dragging it out would only make it worse. Better to face the truth head-on, no matter how much it hurts.

As the car neared the company, I searched online for information about dual-interface features on Android phones. That was when I learned the disturbing truth—dual interfaces could be accessed with different passwords, unlocking entirely separate home screens. So that was how he did it. My chest tightened further. It was all calculated, every last detail.

***

By the time I stepped out of the car, I had steeled myself. The company building loomed above me, cold and imposing in the dim light of the streetlamps. I wrapped my coat tighter around me and walked through the revolving doors, my heels clicking loudly against the marble floor of the lobby.

I didn't visit the company often, so only a few employees recognized me. Those who did greeted me politely, their voices echoing in the vast, empty space. I nodded absently in response, my mind too preoccupied to focus on anything else. I took the elevator to Clark's floor, each ding of the passing levels heightening my tension.

The floor was mostly deserted at this hour, with only a few dim lights still on. Clark's office door stood slightly ajar, a thin line of warm yellow light spilling into the hallway. I stopped just short of the door, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears that it drowned out all other sounds.

Through the crack, I caught sight of a girl sprawled lazily on the sofa, her long legs bare and crossed casually. She looked relaxed, too relaxed, as if she belonged there. Clark stood in front of her, holding a wine glass, his eyes fixed on her intently. The sight made my breath hitch, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest.

So, this was "something urgent" he mentioned earlier?

For a moment, I couldn't move. The image before me felt surreal, like something out of a nightmare. My legs felt rooted to the ground, but I forced myself to take deep, steadying breaths. In. Out. In. Out. Slowly, the crushing weight in my chest eased just enough for me to regain control.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my voice echoing in the silence. "Clark!"

Clark's head snapped up and for a brief moment, panic flickered in his eyes. The wine glass in his hand trembled slightly, spilling a few drops of pale pink liquid onto the floor.

"Maya, what are you doing here?" he asked, his expression quickly shifting from surprise to forced joy. He placed the glass on a nearby table and walked toward me, his steps brisk but hesitant, as if unsure how I would react.

I didn't answer. Instead, I stood still, my eyes fixed on the girl lounging on the sofa. She shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, pulling down the hem of her dress slightly as if to appear more modest.

Clark noticed my gaze and quickly added, "She's Jimmy's girlfriend. He went to the restroom."

I turned to him, my expression cold. "You said you had something urgent at the office."

Clark wrapped his arm around my shoulders, his voice soft and reassuring. "I did and I just finished. I was planning to head home as soon as Jimmy got back."

Before I could respond, a burst of laughter echoed from outside. Moments later, a group of men and women entered the office, their voices loud and cheerful. They froze when they saw me standing there, the tension in the room palpable.

Clark quickly took charge of the situation, his tone light and easy as he introduced me. "This is Maya, my wife and also the chairwoman of this company."

He then gestured toward the bald man leading the group. "And this is Jimmy."

Jimmy grinned, clearly unfazed by the tension. "How sweet. Your wife came to check on you?"

Clark smiled, ignoring the subtle jab. Taking my hand, he began leading me toward the door. "Alright, guys. My work's done. Remember to turn off the lights when you're finished."

***

The car ride home was silent. Clark occasionally glanced at me, his eyes filled with what appeared to be tenderness. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks of gold and silver.

Finally, Clark reached over and took my hand, his grip warm and gentle. "Baby, seeing you today made all my fatigue disappear. I..."