From school uniforms to a wedding gown, Archer and I seemed to have the ultimate fairy tale.

We were the couple everyone else aspired to be.

Little did they know, I was the only one privy to the real story. Two years into our marriage, barely two months pregnant, I stumbled upon his dirty little secret: an affair.

---

The clock struck noon as I exited the gallery.

Even through the throng of people, my eyes zeroed in on the familiar Maybach gleaming by the curb.

Archer spotted me and was out of the car in a flash, practically power-walking my way.

He snatched my bag, his voice dripping with what sounded like a complaint.

"Why'd you brave the gallery solo?

It's a zoo in here. What if you got bumped and hurt the baby? We agreed I'd take you when I had a free day."

I just smiled and shook my head, mumbling something about being bored outta my skull at home and needing to get out.

Archer didn't say much, but his vibe was definitely off.

He just promised to clear his schedule once his current project was wrapped so we could hang out more.

If I hadn't seen those incriminating texts with some other chick, I might have actually felt a pang of something – maybe guilt, maybe concern.

But now? It just made me want to gag.

We hit up our usual private spot for lunch. Archer, bless his heart, ordered all my favorite local dishes.

My taste buds lean towards the delicate, while Archer’s are all about the rich and savory.

Ever since we first got together, Archer’s been toning down his food game to match mine.

And after I got pregnant? It was on a whole new level.

Seriously, I couldn't recall the last time I’d seen him indulge in the hearty grub he actually loved.

Anyone watching us would have sworn Archer was wrapped around my little finger, that I was his absolute world.

From the mundane to my personal quirks, he always put me first.

His business buddies would often crack jokes like, "We've all heard the legends of how Mr. Edwards spoils his wife, but seeing it firsthand? Now we get it. Dude's seriously devoted."

The thought brought a silent, cold chuckle to my lips.

Who could actually see the truth when it wasn't spoon-fed to them?

When the food arrived, Archer, in true form, scooped a piece of my favorite scallop into my bowl.

I paused, took a tiny bite, and nodded.

Only then did he dig in, all the while continuing his server duties for me.

By the end of the meal, I was stuffed, but Archer had barely made a dent in his own plate.

Archer’s phone buzzed, and he excused himself, stepping out of our private room.

I couldn't pinpoint when it started, but he'd begun making a production out of stepping away for calls.

I leaned back, watching his silhouette disappear.

A dull ache started to bloom in my chest.

After lunch, Archer insisted on driving me home.

He had office stuff to deal with and needed to head back before the afternoon was over.

I stood at the grand entrance of our villa, watching his car shrink down the long driveway.

The second it was out of sight, I bolted for the bathroom, my body heaving as the sounds of my retching bounced off the tiled walls.

I purged everything I'd just forced down.

A frantic knock at the door jolted me.

"...Ma'am? Ma'am, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"

I plastered on a fake smile and opened the door.

"It's nothing, just some morning sickness."

"Oh dear, should we call the doctor? I'll ring Mr. Edwards right away..."

The housekeeper was in full panic mode, already reaching for her phone.

The mere thought of Archer sent another wave of nausea crashing over me, a sharp twinge in my lower abdomen making me fight the urge to hurl again.

I waved her off firmly, assuring her I was fine, and retreated to our room.

On the nightstand, a framed photo sat, a relic from a happier time.

It was from Archer's graduation, the very moment he popped the question.