Returned to studying English.
Contacted professors.
And began preparing applications for graduate programs overseas.
Slowly, the weight caused by the hormones began disappearing.
But I was getting back something far more important than my old body.
I was getting myself back.
A month later, Ethan announced he was going to Europe for work.
“When I come home, we’ll start again. Just you and me. We’ll have another baby.”
A few hours later, Vanessa posted from the airport.
Ethan’s back was visible in the corner.
Throughout the trip, he sent me photographs every evening, supposedly proving where he was.
I never replied.
Instead, I compared them with Vanessa’s posts.
When she uploaded fireworks from Disneyland Paris, I recognized Ethan’s watch in one of his pictures.
When she posted from Santorini, I recognized the same terrace.
Then came the final photo.
A hotel bed covered in rose petals.
Vanessa wrote only:
“I got him.”
I didn’t cry.
I felt relieved.
The night before Ethan returned, I uploaded more than ten photographs he had sent me during the trip.
Then I wrote one question.
“My husband says he’s traveling through Europe for business. Does anyone else notice something strange?”
The internet did the rest.
Within hours, people matched my photographs with Vanessa’s posts.
Then someone commented:
“Wait… is this woman’s husband the same man as Vanessa’s mysterious businessman?”
I pinned the comment.
Then I sent the entire post to Ryan Cooper.
Vanessa’s ex-boyfriend.
The man who had originally asked Ethan to hire her while he was overseas because he wanted to keep her close.
The following morning, Ethan called.
“There’s a reception tonight. I want you there.”
“Okay.”
Silence.
He hadn’t expected me to agree.
I hung up, opened my closet, and pulled out a dark green dress I hadn’t been able to wear for years.
That evening, I wasn’t going to win my husband back.
