Two months. That\u2019s how long I had been away, taking care of my mother after her surgery. Two long, exhausting months filled with hospital cafeteria food, uncomfortable chair naps, and constant worry. The only thing keeping me going was the thought of finally returning to my own apartment, my own bed, and, of course, my husband, Michael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had barely been home for an hour, fresh out of the shower, when I heard the front door unlock. My first thought? Michael had stepped out and forgotten something. My second thought? Why hadn\u2019t I heard his car pull up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I peeked into the hallway, towel wrapped around my head, still in my bathrobe. That\u2019s when I saw her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A young, pretty woman stood there as if she owned the place, her manicured fingers clutching a set of keys. She froze, her expression a mix of confusion and mild annoyance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho are YOU?\u201d she blurted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked. \u201cExcuse me? Who am I? I live here! Who are YOU?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She frowned. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen you before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I was away for a couple of months. Who gave you a key to MY apartment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMichael,\u201d she replied, matter-of-factly. \u201cHe said I could come by anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael. My husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cold wave washed over me, swiftly followed by a surge of rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, did he?\u201d I said, my voice dangerously calm. \u201cBecause I\u2014his WIFE\u2014am back, and that\u2019s news to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her face shifted, registering the mistake, and she took a step back. \u201cWait\u2026 He told me he was single.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I folded my arms. \u201cOh, did he now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She frowned harder. \u201cWell, I guess I should go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wasn\u2019t about to let this go without answers. \u201cNo, wait,\u201d I said. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To her credit, she hesitated but eventually followed me. I led her to the kitchen, where Michael sat at the counter, casually eating a bowl of cereal, unaware of the impending drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She glanced at him, then turned back to me. \u201cWho\u2019s THAT?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael looked up mid-bite, spoon frozen in the air. \u201cUh\u2026 what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned back to the woman. \u201cThat\u2019s Michael. My husband.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyebrows shot up. \u201cThat\u2019s not Michael.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now it was my turn to be confused. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael, still looking bewildered, put down his spoon. \u201cI feel like I should be in on this conversation, but I have no idea what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman pulled out her phone and started swiping through her dating app. After a few seconds, she held up a picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t Michael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Nick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael\u2019s younger brother. The one who constantly found trouble. The one who borrowed money and never paid it back. The one who had apparently been using my husband\u2019s name\u2014and our apartment\u2014to impress his dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael groaned. \u201cOh, for\u2014now it all makes sense! Nick kept asking about my schedule these past few months. I thought he was just being nosy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned back to the woman, who was now staring at Nick\u2019s profile like it was a rare artifact she\u2019d just uncovered. \u201cLet me guess\u2014he never let you come over when I was home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head, still stunned. \u201cYeah. He always said his \u2018roommate\u2019 was around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnbelievable,\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael ran a hand through his hair. \u201cI swear, I\u2019m going to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman\u2014who, by now, deserved to have a name\u2014let out a deep breath. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I fell for this. I knew something was off, but I ignored the red flags.\u201d She sighed and extended her hand. \u201cI\u2019m Sonya, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook it. \u201cNice to meet you. You know, aside from the fact that you broke into my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTechnically, I was invited,\u201d she said with a weak laugh. Then she straightened. \u201cYou know what? I want revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael grinned. \u201cOh, we can make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifteen minutes later, Michael texted Nick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael: Hey, bro. We\u2019re making lasagna tonight. You should come over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nick\u2019s reply came almost instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nick: Oh hell yeah, be there in 20!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sonya rubbed her hands together like an evil genius. \u201cThis is going to be good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twenty minutes later, Nick walked in like he owned the place, his usual cocky smirk on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSmells amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere\u2019s the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he saw Sonya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Sonya saw him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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