Chapter 1

While taking my annual vacation, I lay back in the Private Spa Suite, savoring the peace. When the waiter handed me a small cake, I casually complimented him, "Great service here. Do all guests get this?"

He replied, "No, only for female guests or couples."

The fork slipped from my fingers and dropped into the water. My husband, Daniel Hayes, brings me this exact triangular slice, a Rose-Petal Cake, every time he returns from a business trip. Something in my gut told me that he’d been cheating—and that his mistress must not like sweets.

My name is Rachel Evans. I'm the manager of the Emerald Jewelry Sales Division, and after a few years of shrewd investments, I’ve done pretty well for myself.

Daniel Hayes, my husband, was my college classmate. From freshman to junior year, he persistently chased after me until, finally, I said yes. An arts student with little in the way of prospects, he landed his sales consultant job because I pulled some strings for him. But I liked his looks and his loyal, gentle-dog qualities.

Now, though, I stared at the tiny cake in my hands, silent for a long time.

Daniel brings back this triangular slice of Rose-Petal Cake after every business trip, claiming it’s complimentary from his hotel.

Single male guests don’t usually receive perks like this, though—so, it’s likely another woman stayed with him.

Unlike Daniel, I am naturally thrifty; whenever I travel to meet clients, I’m usually back the same day, and even if I stay overnight, I settle for a basic three-star hotel. But Daniel, comfortably reimbursed by the company, has no qualms about booking luxury accommodations.

When I confided my suspicions to my friend Stephanie Ward, she was shocked but quickly gave her opinion:

“No way. You two were college sweethearts—you’ve been through everything together, from school uniforms to wedding rings. Get the facts straight before you decide anything.”

I frowned and nodded. Honestly, I couldn’t be sure if I was overreacting or if there was really something there.

Either way, I needed to test Daniel.

Stephanie, who runs a nail salon and has a sharp way with words, is a little more street-smart than I am. While I’m good with the business side of things, she’s better at reading people, so I asked her to help me strategize.

After thinking it over, she texted me the next day with a plan:

“Doesn’t he travel a lot? His mistress might be a coworker. We can try waiting for him by the underground parking after work to see who he’s with.”

It was a solid plan. Since they’d be traveling together, the mistress was likely a female colleague.

So, before Daniel left work that evening, I called to let him know that I’d be out with Stephanie and wouldn’t stop by to visit him.

“All right, hon. I’ll be home after work to wait for you,” he replied, his tone as warm as ever, making me doubt myself for a second.

That evening, Stephanie and I sat waiting in her car at the parking garage. It didn’t take long. Daniel appeared, heading toward his parking space—and a young woman was walking beside him, clinging to his arm and leaning provocatively close.

My lips pressed together, my fists clenching. Just as I thought, he was cheating with a younger female coworker.

Stephanie sneered. “Unbelievable. Has he forgotten who fed him when he was jobless? You got him that job, and this is how he repays you?”

Yes, Daniel came from a modest background, while my family was well-off. We were from different worlds.

Naturally, my parents had strongly opposed our relationship. But I’d been defiant, swearing our love would get us through anything, like a real-life Romeo and Juliet.

Now reality was making a mockery of those ideals.

My hands tightened around the steering wheel, my gaze locked on the scene unfolding in front of me.

Unexpectedly, just as the woman was about to get in the car, Daniel gently pushed her away.

“Sorry,” he said loudly. “I’m married. Please keep things professional between us.”

His voice carried clearly in the empty garage; I heard every word.

The young woman stomped off, clearly frustrated, and turned away without looking back.

Stephanie exhaled in relief. “See? He probably didn’t cheat. She must’ve been trying to get with him one-sidedly.”

One-sided…? I wasn’t buying it. That woman was exactly Daniel’s type.

When I got home, I was still uneasy. While I was changing in the entryway, Daniel—who had arrived home earlier than usual—walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Happy anniversary, babe.”

He placed a diamond necklace around my neck. I was a bit taken aback, as my work in emeralds made me prefer diamonds more.

I pulled away from him, unable to ignore it. “Who was that woman I saw you with, the one you nearly gave a ride?”

Daniel looked mildly surprised but explained gently, “Oh, you mean Zoe. She’s just the boss’s little fling. Even if I wanted to, getting involved with her would mean career suicide.”

Seeing my frown relax slightly, he leaned in and murmured, “You’re the only one in my heart, babe.”

His explanation was flawless. I couldn’t argue further, but his embrace felt cold, somehow hollow.

Was it possible that everything was just in my head?