My name is Patrick and I had been married to Catherine for six days when I found out our honeymoon was already a lie. We had chosen Santorini because Catherine wanted somewhere beautiful and quiet. She said she wanted the first week of our marriage to feel separate from everything else. No work, no family, no phones unless we need them, she had told me before we left. I remembered that sentence clearly because she was the first one to break it.
We arrived at the resort in the afternoon. Our room overlooked the water and Catherine spent the first hour taking pictures from the balcony. "This is exactly what I wanted," she said. I put my suitcase down. Then we did something right.
She smiled and kissed me. For the first evening, everything felt normal. We had dinner at the hotel, walked through the village, and stayed out until almost midnight. The next morning, Catherine's phone rang while we were having breakfast. She looked at the screen and immediately stood up.
I need to take this. Who is it? Work. I watched her walk 20 ft away before answering. The call lasted almost 10 minutes.
When she returned, I looked at her. Work emergency? Something like that. You're on your honeymoon. I know.
She picked up her coffee. It's nothing. I didn't argue. But that afternoon, it happened again. Then again that evening.
Each time, Catherine took her phone and walked away. On the third night, I finally said something. "You've spent more time talking to someone else than you have talking to me. " She looked at me across the table. "Seriously? " "Yes, you're counting. I'm noticing. " She leaned back.
"Patrick, I just got married. Do you really think I'm sitting here having an affair? " "I didn't say that. You didn't have to. " Her answer irritated me more than the calls. I kept my voice steady. Then tell me who keeps calling.
She hesitated for a second. It's Richard. The name meant nothing to me. Richard who? Richard Cole.
I worked with him before. What does he want? He's dealing with a client issue. That's all. I studied her face.
You never mentioned him. Because he's not important. Then why can't you take his calls in front of me? She sighed. Because I knew you'd make it into something.
I didn't respond. She reached across the table and touched my hand. Please don't start this now. We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves. I pulled my hand back gently.
I'm not starting anything. I'm asking a question. She stared at me for a moment, then looked away. A little later, Catherine said she wanted to take a walk around the resort. I need some air.
She said, "Okay, I'll be back in an hour or two. " She grabbed her phone and left. I stayed in the room and waited. Almost 2 hours later, she came back. "Everything okay? " I asked. "Yeah, I just needed some time alone. " I nodded.
I didn't ask where she'd been. The next afternoon, I went downstairs to get coffee while Catherine stayed in the room. At the front desk, the hotel manager was speaking with another employee. I wasn't paying attention until I heard Catherine's name. I stopped.
The employee was holding a small envelope. Room 418 asked if the guest in 427 had checked in yet, she said. The manager noticed me and stopped talking. I looked at her. Who is in 427?
She checked the computer. Mr. Richard Cole. My stomach tightened. I didn't react.
Instead, I asked, when did he arrive? Yesterday afternoon. I thanked her and walked away. When I returned to the room, Catherine was standing on the balcony. She turned around.
Where were you getting coffee? She smiled. Did you bring me one? I put the cup on the table. Richard is staying here.
Her expression changed immediately, only for a second, but I saw it. I didn't know that, she said. You just told me he was handling a client issue. He is. Then why is he staying at our hotel?
I don't know. I stepped closer. Catherine, look at me. She did. Do you know he's here?
No. I held her eyes for another second. Okay. She seemed relieved. Then her phone buzzed.
She looked down. I watched her face change. Who is it? I asked. She locked the screen.
Nobody. I nodded once. Give me the phone. Her eyes widened. What?
Give me your phone. She shook her head. Why? Because I just asked you a simple question. She stood up.
Patrick, you're being ridiculous. No, I'm being direct. She slipped the phone into her pocket. I told you Richard is a former coworker. Then you have nothing to hide.
She didn't answer. And that was the moment I stopped believing her. Catherine stood near the balcony door with her phone in her pocket. I didn't move. Are you going to give it to me?
I asked. No. Then tell me why. Because you're acting like I owe you access to everything just because we're married. I looked at her.
I'm not asking because we're married. I'm asking because you just lied to me. I didn't lie. You said you didn't know Richard was here. I don't.
Then why did you look terrified when I mentioned his room? Her expression hardened. I wasn't terrified. You were? She crossed her arms.
You're looking for something that isn't there. Maybe. I picked up my jacket. Where are you going? She asked.
To the bar. Patrick. I stopped at the door. If Richard is really here for work, you have nothing to worry about. That's not what I meant.
I know. I left before she could say anything else. I didn't go to the bar. I went downstairs and asked the front desk if there was another restaurant on the property. There was one near the far side of the resort close to the pool.
I sat there for about 20 minutes watching the entrance. I wasn't interested in guessing anymore. I wanted facts. Around 9 that evening, I saw Richard. He walked through the lobby alone.
He was probably in his late 30s, wearing a dark shirt and carrying a phone in one hand. He stopped near the elevators. Then Catherine walked out from the opposite hallway. She wasn't supposed to be downstairs. She had told me she was taking a shower.
Richard saw her. They didn't speak immediately. They just looked at each other. Then Catherine walked toward him. I stood up.
They hugged. Not the kind of hug you give an old coworker. Richard put his hand against the back of her neck. Catherine smiled and touched his chest. I walked toward them.
Catherine. She turned. Her face went completely still. Richard looked at me for two seconds. Nobody said anything.
Then Catherine stepped away from him. Patrick, what are you doing here? I almost laughed. I could ask you the same thing. Richard looked between us.