Not enormous.
Around seventy thousand dollars in an account inherited from her grandmother.
Evan had encouraged her to invest.
“How much?”
I asked.
She looked down.
“Twenty-five.”
“Thousand?”
“Yes.”
I stared.
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“Before you left?”
“Yes.”
“Did you sign anything?”
“A convertible note.”
“Do you have it?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Email.”
I almost laughed.
Our marriage had transformed into a forensic investigation.
“Did Jenna know?”
“Yes.”
“And she thought he was using you.”
“Yes.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Do you now?”
Melissa said nothing.
I stood.
“Call him.”
“What?”
“Call Evan.”
“Why?”
“Ask when he's leaving his wife.”
“Daniel.”
“Speakerphone.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Then don't.”
I walked toward the kitchen.
She followed.
“Wait.”
Melissa took out her phone.
Called.
Evan answered after three rings.
“Hey.”
His voice was relaxed.
Melissa looked at me.
“When are you telling Samantha?”
Silence.
“Melissa?”
“When are you leaving her?”
Another pause.
“Where are you?”
“That isn't the question.”
“Are you with Daniel?”
She looked at me.
“Yes.”
Evan sighed.
“We shouldn't have this conversation like this.”
“Then answer.”
“Things are complicated.”
I almost laughed.
Melissa closed her eyes.
“You said after the Carson contract.”
“It got delayed.”
“You said September.”
“I know.”
“You told me your marriage was over.”
“It is emotionally.”
There it was.
Melissa looked sick.
“What about the twenty-five thousand?”
Evan became quiet.
“What about it?”
“I want it back.”
“That's not how an investment works.”
“You said I could withdraw before the company formed.”
“No.”
“I said we could discuss—”
Melissa ended the call.
She stared at the screen.
Then at me.
“I'm an idiot.”
I did not disagree.
But something in me shifted.
Not toward reconciliation.
Toward recognition.
She had betrayed me.
Evan had also lied to her.
Both could be true.
Just as my old mistake and her affair could both be wrong without becoming equal.
Human beings kept wanting morality to work like arithmetic.
It didn't.
CHAPTER 7: WHO LEFT THE CARD?
Jenna called that evening.
Melissa put her on speaker.
“Did you leave a card on Daniel's porch?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
I leaned forward.
“Why?”
Jenna sighed.
“Because neither of you was telling the whole truth.”
“That wasn't your decision.”
“No.”
She sounded ashamed.
“It wasn't.”
Melissa asked:
“Why Rebecca?”
“Because you kept using her.”
Melissa froze.
Jenna continued.
“For months you told me Daniel cheated first.”
“He did.”
“No.”
“He kissed someone before you were married and immediately stopped.”