Chapter 4My Husband Sent Me to the Crazy Horse

Once that seed of doubt was planted, it grew fast.

I started watching Ryan. Closely. Acting like everything was normal on the surface, but secretly observing his every move.

It took about four days, but then I started noticing things. Real things.

First, he was coming home later and later. Every night, he’d stumble in looking utterly exhausted. Wouldn't even shower – just collapse onto the bed, fully clothed, and pass out. This was weird. Ryan always showered before bed, no matter how tired he was. It was practically a ritual.

I tried asking him, casually, "Hey, what have you been up to? You seem wiped out."

He just gave me this annoyed look. "You keep pushing me to find this guy, right? Well, tracking leads takes time. It's exhausting work." Then he grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom, leaving me standing there feeling… wrong-footed.

Find the attacker? Right. If this were a week ago, maybe I'd believe him. But after his weirdness? His story felt paper-thin.

The second anomaly: his phone. He was glued to it whenever he was home. Just staring at the screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. And sometimes… sometimes I’d catch this little smirk playing on his lips. A strange, almost smug look.

Once, I pretended to need something near him and casually glanced towards his screen. He flinched like he’d been shocked, snapping the phone shut instantly.

I kept my voice light. "Whatcha lookin' at?"

He turned, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, uh, nothing. Just got a message from that informant I told you about. Says he might have a lead on the guy. We're meeting up tomorrow."

I nodded, playing along, even managing a supportive tone. "Wow, that's great news! Thanks for working so hard on this, honey. You're the best."

He gave another awkward laugh. "Hey, anything for you, right? That's what marriage is about."

After that? My suspicion shifted into high gear. It felt less like suspicion, more like dread.

Then came the clincher. One morning, as he rushed out the door, he left something on the dining table. A beautifully wrapped, small, square box.

At first, I was just curious. Maybe a late birthday gift from a friend? Or maybe… maybe he actually was planning an early anniversary surprise?

Carefully, I unwrapped it.

Inside was a Rolex. A brand new, blindingly expensive Rolex watch.

My jaw dropped. I just stared at it, a loud buzzing filling my ears.