Chapter 5

　　Sienna

　　"TEXT ME when you get home," Maya said, leaning against the passenger door as I stepped out.

　　"I will,' I answered.

　　She studied me for a second longer than necessary, like she wanted to say something else. Then she sighed and waved it off. "Just… don't overthink everything tonight."

　　I almost smiled. Too late for that.

　　"Drive safe," I said instead, shutting the door.

　　I didn't wait for her to leave before turning toward the house. Home. The word felt… distant.

　　Familiar, but not comforting.

　　I dragged my suitcase behind me, the wheels echoing softly against the polished floor as I stepped inside. The lights were already on. Warm. Inviting. Exactly the way Marcus always kept it.

　　Like a picture. Like something staged.

　　The door hadn't even fully closed behind me when arms wrapped around me from the side.

　　"Sienna."

　　Marcus.

　　His voice was warm, relieved. His embrace firm, familiar. He pulled me in, pressing a kiss against my forehead like it was routine. Like nothing had changed.

　　"I missed you."

　　I didn't freeze or even hesitate, I just let myself settle into the role. "I missed you too," I said, my voice soft, easy, exactly what he expected.

　　His hands lingered at my waist before he stepped back, looking at me properly. His expression was open and comfortable, completely untouched by anything.

　　"How was your trip?" he asked, smiling.

　　"Busy," I replied, slipping off my heels. "Same as always."

　　He nodded, like that made sense. It always did. He never paid attention that much.

　　I bent slightly, pulling my suitcase further into the living room before straightening again. "Why are you home early?"

　　"Hmm?" He smiled, loosening his tie. "Took the afternoon off."

　　"For me?"

　　"For you." His tone made it sound simple and natural. "I wanted to prepare dinner," he added, glancing toward the dining area.

　　I followed his gaze. The table was already set.

　　"You didn't have to," I said lightly.

　　"I wanted to."

　　He stepped closer again, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him without touching.

　　"Did you miss me?" he asked, quieter this time.

　　I looked at him. At the man I had married. At the man who had sex with another woman in this house and looked me in the eye this morning but said nothing.

　　"I thought about you every day," I said, the lie came too easily.

　　His expression softened, satisfied. "Good," he murmured. "I thought about you too."

　　Liar.

　　I stepped past him before he could close the distance again. "Let's eat first," I said, unbuttoning my coat. "I'm starving."

　　WE HAD been sitting at the table for less than ten minutes when his phone rang. The sound cut cleanly through the quiet.

　　Marcus barely glanced at the screen before answering. "Nate."

　　The name landed harder than it should have. I didn't react, I didn't even look up immediately. I just reached for my glass, taking a slow sip while listening.

　　"Yeah," Marcus continued, casual. "I'm home," he paused. Then he smiled slightly. "No, not tonight. My wife just got back."

　　I kept my expression neutral, lowering my glass carefully. On the other end, I could faintly hear a voice. Light and amused.

　　Nate.

　　Marcus leaned back in his chair, relaxed. "We're good," he said. "Everything's fine." Another pause. Then a short laugh from Marcus. "Yeah, yeah. Don't start."

　　I looked up then just for a second. He caught my gaze and smiled, like the conversation meant nothing.

　　Like the name he just said didn't matter.

　　Like the man I had been with just nights ago wasn't on the other end of that call.

　　"Alright," Marcus said, shifting slightly. "I won't keep you." He paused again, then added, "You free tomorrow night?"

　　I stilled and waited for what would Marcus say next.

　　"Good," he continued. "Don't forget. Birthday." Another pause. "Yeah. See you."

　　He hung up and the silence that followed felt heavier than before.

　　"What did he want?" I asked, keeping my tone even.

　　"Nothing important," Marcus said, setting his phone aside. "Just asking if I was free tonight."

　　"And you said no."

　　He smiled faintly. "Of course. You just got home."

　　I nodded once. "That's nice."

　　It sounded right and normal. And, that was the problem.

　　Marcus picked up his fork again, like the interruption hadn't mattered. "Oh," he added after a second, "did you pick something for tomorrow?"

　　I glanced at him. "For your party?"

　　"Yeah." He leaned back slightly. "You always leave it last minute."

　　"I didn't have time," I said simply. "You know I'm busy with work."

　　He considered that, then nodded. "Wear the dress I gave you," he said. "The black one."

　　Of course. That one.

　　"I will," I replied without hesitation and argument because that's what he expected.

　　And tonight, I gave him exactly that.

　　THE SHOWER helped to reset my mind, but not enough. The water ran hot against my skin, washing away the scent of the day, the weight of the house, the quiet tension that had settled under my ribs.

　　I didn't look at the mirror for long when I stepped out. I didn't need to because I already knew what I would see.

　　Kiss marks… From Nate.

　　I changed into something simple, something soft, something that fit the version of me Marcus knew. By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, he was already in bed.

　　Clean, relaxed, and waiting.

　　Of course.

　　I turned off the lights and slipped under the covers, keeping my movements slow, natural.

　　He shifted immediately, moving closer, his arm sliding around my waist from behind. His hand rested against my stomach, warm, and steady.

　　I closed my eyes briefly.

　　"Long day?" he murmured against my hair.

　　"Yes," I breathed.

　　His grip tightened slightly. "You feel distant."

　　I turned my head just enough to look at him over my shoulder. "I'm tired."

　　That was true. Just not in the way he meant.

　　His gaze searched mine for a second longer. "You don't want me?" he asked.

　　I turned fully this time, facing him. My hand came up, brushing lightly along his cheek, slow, reassuring.

　　"I do," I said softly. Another truth. Just… incomplete. I leaned in and pressed a light kiss against his cheek. "But not tonight," I added, my tone almost playful. "Let me sleep properly for once."

　　He studied me. Still searching.

　　So I smiled slightly, softening it. "You don't want me looking exhausted at your party, do you?"

　　That did it. A small shift in his expression. Understanding and acceptance.

　　Marcus exhaled, the tension easing out of his shoulders. "Fine," he said quietly. His hand moved up, brushing through my hair. "Sleep and rest."

　　I let myself relax into the pillow, trying my best to push away all the thoughts in my head.

　　Marcus stayed close for a moment longer, then pressed a final kiss to my temple. "Goodnight, Sienna."

　　"Goodnight."

　　His breathing evened out not long after. He fell asleep that fast, completely unaffected and unbothered with his infidelity.

　　I stared at the ceiling in the dark. Wide awake because something colder had already settled into place.

　　Tomorrow, I would wear the dress he chose and play the perfect wife.

　　Except that someone in the crowd already know that I wasn't perfect at all.