Chapter 30

Thomas found himself awake long past midnight, staring at the ceiling as silent shadows slithered across the room. It was hardly surprising: after last night’s emotional wrestling match, he knew in his bones that he’d developed a new kind of endurance—one tailored to withstand Cassandra’s spontaneous torture. Of course, Cassandra didn’t suspect a thing.

When he finally crept down the stairs, the kitchen glowed under soft morning light. Steam drifted up from a single cup of coffee on the island. He paused. His wife and her best friend, Zoe—whom he barely knew—were already there. In that moment, Thomas recalled Cassandra’s letter of resignation from her job. Everything clicked into place.

“Morning, hon!” Cassandra called cheerfully, abandoning the stool to step forward. She brushed a strand of hair from her face and pressed her lips to his. Thomas felt his chest tighten—an odd flutter in his lungs—before he settled into the rhythm of her affection. He’d grown accustomed to