Chapter 3Sweet Spicy

Leo walked in humming a cheesy love song that was all over TikTok, a smile playing on his lips. He looked happy. Genuinely happy. I hadn’t seen him like that in a long time.

He walked toward me, and a faint, familiar scent hit my nose. It was the gardenia perfume I’d just opened a few days ago.

I shoved down the storm brewing inside me and kept my face neutral.

“Hey, hon. No working late tonight?”

He pulled a bouquet of roses from behind his back. “Honey, did you forget? It’s our anniversary!”

Then, like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, he produced a small velvet box from his pocket. Inside was a delicate diamond bracelet.

“Do you like it? I picked it out just for you.”

I didn’t look at the flowers or the bracelet. I just stared straight into his eyes.

“That’s funny. Fifteen years of marriage, and this is the first time you’ve remembered our anniversary. Why the sudden effort…”

I paused, my voice dropping to a whisper.

“Unless you did something you’re not supposed to, and this is your way of buying my silence?”

The smile on Leo’s face froze. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by defensive anger.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” His voice shot up, as if a higher volume could mask his guilt. “I do something nice for you, I try to surprise you, and this is the thanks I get? You’re always so suspicious! Fine, don’t take it!”

He slammed the jewelry box down on the coffee table with a loud thwack.

I watched him calmly. “You’re overreacting. Did I hit a nerve?”

“You’re unbelievable! I can’t even talk to you!”

Leo’s eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet mine. He practically fled, grabbing his pajamas from the armchair.

“I’m taking a shower!”

That guilty back was all the confirmation I needed.

Soon, the sound of running water filled the apartment. I walked quickly into our bedroom. His phone was sitting on the nightstand. I picked it up, my fingers flying as I entered the familiar password.

I scanned his messages, checking every female colleague. Nothing but dry, work-related conversations. No terms of endearment, no flirty emojis. I checked his Amazon history, his Uber Eats orders. Nothing.

How is that possible?

For a second, I doubted myself. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe “AgainstTheCurrent” isn’t him after all.

The sound of the shower turned off. Time was up. I quickly put the phone back where I found it and returned to the living room couch, my mind racing.