Chapter 6: Proof in the Shadows

I knew the address, so I privately contacted the bar manager and asked for the security footage from their private room.

It felt strange, sneaky. But I needed proof—something undeniable.

The manager was a single mom in her forties, with a Cubs mug on her desk.

She had tired eyes, but a fierce energy. She didn’t suffer fools gladly.

At first, she didn’t want to help when she heard what I was after.

She crossed her arms, eyeing me warily. “I don’t want to get involved in anyone’s drama.”

But when she learned I needed evidence of my husband’s affair, she was all in.

Her whole demeanor changed. “Oh, honey, say no more. Been there myself. Let’s get those bastards.”

She’d been cheated on before and hated jerks.

She told me her own story—how she’d caught her ex with the neighbor. We bonded over heartbreak and strong coffee.

The video arrived at eleven that night.

My phone buzzed, screen lighting up with a new message. My hands trembled as I opened the file.

Nathaniel hadn’t come home yet.

The house was quiet, too quiet. I curled up in bed, phone clutched to my chest.

I leaned against the headboard.

And played the video on my phone.

The screen flickered to life, and there they were—Nathaniel and Lila, center stage.

In the footage, Lila was always smiling, clinging to Nathaniel’s arm, holding on tight like she couldn’t let go.

She laughed at his jokes, leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. It was sickeningly intimate.

Nathaniel would sometimes look down at her with tenderness.

He brushed her hair back, whispered in her ear. The kind of gestures that once belonged to me.

Their eyes met often.

Each glance was loaded, electric. I could feel the heat through the screen.

Full of affection.

It was obvious to anyone watching—they were more than friends. Much more.

Like a couple in love.

They looked happy, in sync. The kind of couple I thought we were.

Mark was smiling at the side too.

He raised his glass, tried to keep things light. But I could see the worry in his eyes.

Until Lila got up to use the restroom.

She excused herself, brushing her hand along Nathaniel’s back as she left.

Mark’s face turned serious, and he asked Nathaniel, “Seriously, man… what’s going on? You’re bringing her out like this? Aren’t you afraid someone you know will see? What if Emily finds out?”

His voice was low, urgent. He cared, even if he didn’t say it outright.

Nathaniel’s face was red from drinking.

His cheeks flushed, eyes glassy. He was loosening up, letting his guard down.

He rarely drank so much.

Usually, he nursed one glass all night. Tonight, he was on his third—or fourth.

He seemed truly happy tonight.

There was a lightness to him I hadn’t seen in months. It hurt to watch.

“Just here in this private room, just you, me, and her. How would Emily know?”

He waved Mark off, confident. Too confident.

It was all for show.

“Lila’s had it rough. Today’s her birthday, and her only wish was to be my wife for a day. I couldn’t say no.”

He shrugged, as if that made it okay. My blood boiled.

Mark frowned.

He shook his head, disappointment etched on his face.

“Dude, we’ve been friends for years. I gotta say something.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “You’re playing with fire, Nate.”

“Forget about what Lila wants—let’s talk about Emily. When you got with her, you had nothing.”

He reminded Nathaniel of his roots, the people who’d helped him get where he was.

“Yeah, you’re successful now, a professor. But Emily’s no slouch—she’s beautiful, has a career, a family. Isn’t she good enough for you?”

He looked at Nathaniel, searching for a hint of remorse.

“Don’t throw away a good thing for nothing.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with warning.

Nathaniel laughed. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

He grinned, cocky. I wanted to reach through the screen and shake him.

“I never planned to divorce Emily.”

He said it like it was a point of pride. As if keeping me was a foregone conclusion.

“Besides, Emily’s pregnant with my kid. Even if she finds out, as long as I admit I was wrong, she’ll forgive me. You don’t know how much she loves me. She and the baby can’t live without me.”

His arrogance was staggering. I felt sick.

“Once a woman’s pregnant, she’s tied to you.”

He said it like it was a law of nature. My hands shook with rage.

Mark looked at Nathaniel’s drunken state and sighed.

He drained his glass, shoulders slumping. “You’re making a mistake, man.”

Nathaniel patted Mark on the shoulder.

He laughed, carefree. “Relax, buddy. I’ve got this.”

“Mark, you don’t get it. Lila was the girl I could never have in high school. Now she’s suddenly willing to be with me. That kind of desire for control and possession—it drives you nuts.”

He leaned back, eyes distant. “You ever want something so bad, you can’t think straight?”

“My family was poor. Everyone looked down on me, even Lila.”

His voice was bitter, old wounds surfacing. “I just wanted to prove I could have her, too.”

“So finally having her was a special thrill.”

He smiled, a little too wide. I saw the boy he used to be—the one who never felt good enough. Some things never change.

Before Nathaniel finished, Lila came back in.

She slipped into the room, her perfume lingering. The energy shifted instantly.

Mark made an excuse and left.

He grabbed his coat, muttering something about an early meeting. I wondered if he’d call me, try to warn me.

Only Lila and Nathaniel were left in the private room.

They moved closer, the air between them charged.

Lila asked, a little hurt, “Babe, did I do something wrong? Did I upset your friend?”

Her voice trembled, eyes wide and vulnerable.

Nathaniel pulled Lila into his arms.

He stroked her hair, whispering reassurances. “You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetheart.”

Lila sat on his lap, arms around his neck.

They fit together too easily. My stomach churned.

Nathaniel comforted her, “Mark’s just whipped. His wife called him home, so he left early. Don’t overthink it.”

He kissed her forehead, smiling. “Tonight’s about you.”

Lila smiled and kissed Nathaniel on the lips.

The kiss was slow, lingering. I looked away, unable to watch.

“Thank you, babe.”

She giggled, her voice soft. “You always know how to make me feel special.”

“I bought new fishnets. Want to see them at your place tonight?”

She winked, biting her lip. Nathaniel’s eyes darkened.

Nathaniel hesitated, wanting to refuse.

He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat.

Lila silenced him with a kiss.

Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. He melted into her.

They tangled together.

The camera caught every moment—their laughter, their whispered promises.

They kissed for two minutes and thirty-two seconds. I counted.

Lila’s hand slid down Nathaniel’s chest, unbuckling his belt. “Looks like someone missed me more than you did.”

Her voice was playful, teasing. Nathaniel groaned, eyes fluttering shut.

“Babe, it’s my birthday. Don’t turn me down, okay?”

She pouted, her lips trembling. “Please?”

“I promise it won’t happen again.”

She clung to him, desperate. I wondered if she believed her own words.

“Just for tonight, let your body and heart belong to me. Forget Emily for a while, okay? Please…”

Her plea was raw, naked. Nathaniel didn’t resist.

Tears shimmered in Lila’s eyes, making her look even more fragile.

She sniffled, wiping her cheeks. Nathaniel cupped her face, kissing her gently.

She pouted: “I’m craving…”

Her voice was small, needy. He gave in, pulling her closer.

It was like she pressed all of Nathaniel’s buttons. He held the back of her head, unable to control himself as he kissed her.

They fell together, lost in each other. I felt like I was intruding, but I couldn’t look away.

Seeing this, my stomach twisted violently.

A wave of nausea hit me, sharp and sudden. I doubled over, gasping for air.

I dropped my phone.

I rushed to the bathroom and threw up.

My knees hit the cold tile, hands gripping the bowl. Tears streamed down my face as I retched, over and over.

I hadn’t felt this nauseous in a long time.

The morning sickness had faded weeks ago. This was something else—grief, rage, betrayal, all tangled together.

I remembered when I first got pregnant, I threw up every day, lost twenty pounds, and almost lost the baby.

Those days were a blur of hospital visits, IV drips, and whispered prayers. Nathaniel had been by my side, or so I thought.

In the end, I was hospitalized for IV fluids and nutrition just to keep the pregnancy.

The nurses were kind, bringing me ginger ale and crackers. I’d clung to hope, believing it would all be worth it.

Nathaniel felt for me.

He’d held my hand, stroked my hair, promised me it would get better.

He always stayed by my bedside, holding my hand tight.

He’d tell me stories, make me laugh, wipe away my tears. I’d believed every word.

“Babe, if we really lose the baby, then we won’t try again. I can’t stand seeing you suffer like this.”

He’d sounded so sincere, so loving. I’d clung to his words like a lifeline.

“I can live without kids, but I can’t live without you!”

He’d kissed my forehead, tears in his eyes. I’d thought I was the luckiest woman alive.

Back then, I truly thought I was the happiest woman in the world.

I’d imagined our future—family vacations, first steps, laughter filling the house. I never saw this coming.

I was so moved.

I’d cried, promising myself I’d give him the family he wanted. I would do anything for him.

I thought, even if it cost me my life, I would give Nathaniel this child.

I’d have walked through fire for him. I never imagined I’d be here, alone in the dark, betrayed.

But now…

Everything had changed. The love I’d felt was poisoned, curdled by lies.

I decided to get rid of it. I couldn’t bring a child into this mess. I needed to protect myself—maybe that was the only thing left I could do.

Nathaniel didn’t come home that night.

The bed was cold, the house silent. I stared at the ceiling, waiting for dawn.

He messaged me saying Mark drank too much, and after dropping him off, he went straight to the university apartments. Since he’d been drinking, he didn’t want to come home smelling like alcohol and disturb my rest.

His words were careful, rehearsed. I read them twice, searching for a hint of guilt.

Before, when Nathaniel was busy, he’d sometimes stay at the university.

I’d never questioned it. Now, I saw it for what it was—a convenient excuse. How could I have been so blind?

So he was sure I wouldn’t suspect anything.

He trusted my faith in him. He didn’t know it was already gone.