Lily's mind was racing as she sat in her car outside the bar. She still lacked the complete image, but the puzzle pieces were gradually fitting together. Although it was terrifying, Ethan's warning concerning Cassandra left her with more questions than answers. How much power did Cassandra possess? What had made Daniel a pawn in her scheme?
Lily drove back to the brownstone she and Daniel had shared for years, determined to find out. The home felt empty and colder now as if the treachery had crept into the walls itself. Silently, she parked in the driveway and stepped inside, her heels resonating on the wood floorboards.
The refrigerator's soft hum was the only sound to break the eerily quiet silence in the living room. Lily's eyes landed on Daniel's briefcase, which was strewn carelessly by the couch as she stood in the middle of the room.
Her chest grew constricted. Perhaps this was where Daniel kept his secrets. Guilt flitted through her as she hesitated. But then she remembered the picture of Daniel with another woman, Ethan's cryptic advice, and Cassandra's arrogant warnings. Her resolution swiftly overcame any guilt she may have had.
Being cautious not to disrupt anything that might alarm Daniel, she opened the briefcase. She discovered the typical items inside: a leather-bound planner, client contracts, and paperwork. She didn't notice anything strange until she got to the bottom: a little, unmarked package.
She took it out and opened it, her heart racing. There were several pictures within. They were harmless enough at first—photos of Daniel grinning with coworkers at business meetings. Her stomach, however, turned as she shuffled among them.
In one picture, Daniel and Cassandra were seated across from each other at a restaurant, their heads hunched over talking. Another showed them together as they entered a posh hotel. The most incriminating image was the last one, which showed Daniel and Cassandra embracing passionately while his hands were entangled in her red hair.
Lily's chest constricted with a mixture of anger and heartache as she experienced a rush of nausea. The photographs' angle, however, caught her attention the most—they hadn't been taken by an untrained eye. They were professional and methodical. They had been being followed.
She slipped the pictures back into the envelope, her fingers shaking. These had been taken by whom? And why did Daniel have them in his briefcase?
The sound of the front door opening cut through her thoughts. She hurriedly put the briefcase back together and tucked the envelope into her pocket as panic swept over her.
"Lily?" Daniel shouted out in a casual tone as if nothing had occurred.
When he walked into the living room, she turned to face him and forced herself to remain composed. His hair was a little unkempt, and his tie was loose, giving the impression that he was exhausted.
She said in a firm voice, "You're home early."
Daniel gave a small smile. "Long day. I simply had to relax.
Lily watched him intently and nodded. You don't appear well. Is everything in order?
With a groan, he ran a hand over his hair. Yes, simply stress from work. Lately, it has been one thing after another.
The untruth made Lily's heart tighten, but she kept it to herself. "Perhaps you ought to take a break. Calm down.
He laughed softly. "I wish I could."
It was astounding how effortlessly he deceived her. Anger swept through Lily, but she pushed it under a mask of worry. Her voice was soft as she continued, "Well, I'm here if you need anything."
Daniel kissed her forehead, leaning down to do so. The gesture seemed empty and hollow, like a phantom of the love they had previously had for one another. "Thank you, Lily. That is very significant.
Lily let out the breath she had been holding as he vanished upstairs. Her fingers grazed the soft paper as she took the envelope out of her pocket. There was a reason why whoever had taken those pictures had been looking at them.
And she had to find out who it was if she wanted answers.
Lily went to a private investigator's office in a plain downtown building the following morning. In his early forties, the man who welcomed her had a rough face and keen eyes that appeared to notice everything.
"I assume you're Mrs. Harper?" He motioned for her to take a seat.
Lily placed the envelope on his desk and said, "Yes." "I need your assistance."
The detective, identifying himself as Jack Monroe, examined her closely. "What sort of assistance?"
Lily shoved the envelope in his direction. "These pictures. I must discover who took them and for what reason.
Jack furrowed his brows as he looked over the contents of the envelope. "These are excellent photographs. The person who took them was an expert.
"Were you able to identify the person?" Lily's voice was steady as she asked.
Jack gave a nod. "I could try, but it could take a while. Are you able to determine why someone would follow your husband?
Lily paused. "I have suspicions, but before I confront him, I need proof."
Jack looked at her knowingly. "All OK. I'll begin my investigation and update you on my findings.
With a peculiar mixture of dread and hope churning in her breast, Lily thanked him and walked out of the office. Although she was at last taking charge, the truth she was looking for had the potential to further upend her world.
Lily had trouble falling asleep later that night. The burden of the day pressed down on her as she sat on the side of her bed. She reached for her phone as it buzzed on the nightstand and was shocked to see that Ethan had left a message.
Lily, you're playing with fire.
Anger flashed inside her as her fingertips lingered over the screen. I don't care, she replied hastily. I'm entitled to answers.
Ethan responded almost immediately. Then prepare for the consequences.
Lily's determination solidified as she gazed at the television. She would confront the fallout, whatever it might be.
She was determined to find the truth at all costs since it was out there.