CHAPTER 1 Happy Anniversary

Layla's POV

"What's up with you?" Grace asked me over the phone.

"What do you mean? I'm fine," I replied.

"Well, you sound out of breath," she remarked.

"Oh, that's because I'm baking, and I just cleared up some stuff," I said.

"What?!" she exclaimed, making me pull the phone away from my ear.

"Girl, chill," I said.

"How am I supposed to chill over this? You are baking!" Grace said.

"I mean, I can't even picture you near a stove, let alone baking something. Honestly, I'm impressed," she continued, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her laugh.

I sighed. It wasn't entirely untrue, and Grace loved reminding me of it.

"So, tell me, what's the occasion? What finally got you to put on an apron?" she asked.

"Well, it's Orion and my first wedding anniversary," I said.

There was a pause, just long enough to feel awkward before she replied.

"Oh my gosh, I just remembered! Congrats, love," she said, her voice a little too bright.

"Thanks," I replied, sensing a slight shift in her tone.

"So, what are you baking?" she asked quickly.

"Well-"

'Ding.'

I was cut off by the oven timer.

"I'll call you back," I said to Grace.

"Okay, girl," she said.

"Bye," I said, ending the call.

As I set my phone down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something about our conversation was off. Grace's tone when I mentioned Orion felt strained like she was forcing herself to sound excited. It wasn't like her. For a moment, I wondered if I had said something wrong or if she was going through something she hadn't shared with me.

But then my gaze shifted to the oven timer flashing on the counter, pulling me back to the task at hand. I walked over, took the cake out, and placed it on the counter to cool. Focusing on the cake, I pushed aside the unease from the call, letting the warm smell of chocolate fill the air and my mind.

Looking at the cake, my heart swelled with joy and warmth. It came out better than I had hoped, and I couldn't help but feel proud.

After a few minutes, the cake had cooled, and I began to decorate it with some frosting.

I smiled brightly while thinking of Orion, my husband. Today is our first anniversary, and I couldn't be ecstatic.

I wanted to show Orion how much I appreciate his support and love for me. That's why I baked a chocolate fudge cake, his favorite.

I felt happy knowing how much he loved me, and I loved him even more. He is the best thing to me, and I am eternally grateful to him for being by my side.

As I wrote the words 'Happy Anniversary' on the cake, my smile widened even more.

I placed the cake in the fridge and cleaned up my mess. I skipped to our bedroom. I was filled with so much joy, and I couldn't wait for Orion to come home.

I decided to decorate our room, just to make our anniversary night more romantic.

I walked over to the bedside drawer to pick up some candles. As I reached for them, something caught my eye, making me freeze in place.

There, tucked into the corner of the drawer, was a box of condoms. It wasn't just any box- it had already been opened.

My brow furrowed as I picked it up. The packaging was slightly crumpled, and I could see that several of the condoms had been used. A cold chill ran down my spine as I stared at it, trying to make sense of what I saw.

This wasn't mine.

I never bought this box, and I couldn't remember Orion mentioning it either. My mind raced as I turned it over in my hands, noticing the expiration date. It was recent, confirming the purchase wasn't long ago.

I was confused, for Orion and I hadn't had sex in two months. He and I were overly occupied with work, and whenever we got back, we were exhausted. So why was this here? And why had it already been used?

A creeping sense of dread began to take hold, even as I tried to dismiss it. Maybe there was an explanation. Maybe I was jumping to conclusions.

But deep down, unease settled like a stone in my stomach.

Then I remembered the surveillance camera in the living room. We'd installed it a while back to keep an eye on our cat. Even though Orion had given the cat away recently, the camera was still there, unused but functional.

The thought made my pulse quicken. If there was anything suspicious, the footage would show it.

I told myself it was just to ease my mind. Nothing more.

Grabbing my phone, I opened the app that connected to the camera and reactivated it. My fingers hovered over the screen as I hesitated, then quickly typed a message to Orion.

'Hey babe, there's been a change of plans. I won't be able to come home tonight due to some complications at the office. Hopefully, I'll be back by morning.

Sorry, love, and goodnight.

Love you.'

I let out a deep breath. I didn't notice I was holding and pressed send.

Placing the phone down, I moved to the kitchen, boxing up the cake I'd so lovingly baked earlier. Every movement felt mechanical, as though my body were operating on autopilot while my mind raced ahead.

After packing a small overnight bag, I grabbed my car keys and left the house. The air outside was cool, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside me.

I checked into a nearby hotel, dropped my belongings onto the bedside table, and sat at the edge of the bed. For a few minutes, I stared blankly at the wall, trying to gather my thoughts, willing myself to stay calm.

What if I was wrong? What if I was overreacting?

Finally, I rinsed my face in the bathroom, the cold water grounding me. Feeling slightly steadier, I returned to the bed and unlocked my phone. The live feed from the surveillance camera flickered to life.

At first, there was nothing unusual. The house was silent, empty. I told myself again that this was all a misunderstanding.

But as hours passed, my patience wore thin, and my nerves began to fray.

Then, just as I was about to give up, Orion appeared on the screen. My heart leaped into my throat.

He wasn't alone.

He walked in with a woman clinging to him. They were kissing each other with so much need and longing as they stumbled through the door.

I felt my heart drop into the pits of my stomach as I began trembling. Tears welled at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. My fingers were shaking so badly that I had to drop my phone on the bed as I continued watching.

Orion's hand ran across the woman's body with so much need, longing, and familiarity, his left hand grabbing her breast and his other hand holding her steady.

They stopped to catch their breath before he covered her lips with his again, this time, he didn't hesitate. His tongue claimed hers, exploring her mouth with slow, sensual strokes. A deep moan escaped the woman's throat as their lips moved in perfect sync.

My heart was pounding against my ribcage as I watched him kissing this woman so passionately, in the way he had never kissed me before. It was almost like he was hungry for her.

I was devastated and heartbroken as my tears ran down my cheeks. I didn't want to watch any longer until the face of the woman came into view.

As I saw her face, I gasped as my hand flew to my mouth.

I placed my second hand on my mouth as I tried to stifle my sobs.