Chapter 2: The Photo With No Caption
Sophie told me that three months ago, my husband Mark had been meeting her mother, Linda, in secret.
At first I told myself it was nothing.
A misunderstanding.
Mark and Linda had known each other for years — they'd sat beside each other at school events, chatted at birthday parties.
It could have been innocent.
Then Sophie said, "My mom tried to end it.
She told him it had to stop."
My throat closed.
"And he wouldn't let her."
"What do you mean he wouldn't let her?"
Sophie's voice broke.
"He showed up at our house, Mrs.
Parker.
When I was home alone.
He was so angry.
He said things to me — about my mom, about our family — that I will never forget."
I couldn't speak.
"That's why I can't look at Emma.
Every time I see her face, I see his."
I sat there holding the phone, staring at the wall.
Then I heard the front door open.
Mark's voice came from downstairs.
"Honey?
I'm home early."
I didn't move.
My phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number.
One photo.
May you like
No caption.
My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped it.
