I knew her patterns well enough. This had to be precise. That night at home, Emily was at the kitchen counter chopping vegetables for dinner. She looked relaxed, the same woman I thought I knew for years. I set my keys down and asked casually, “Did you ever talk to Alex outside of work?” She paused for half a second, barely noticeable, then said, “Not really, just work stuff. ” Her tone was light. I nodded like her answer meant nothing.
Inside, I filed it away. After dinner, I stepped into the study and called Anthony Collins, the attorney I trusted more than anyone outside my family. Anthony, I said, I need the details of that prenup, every clause. He didn’t waste words. Are you preparing for something? Yes. All right. Come by tomorrow. I’ll have it ready. The following afternoon, I sat across from him as he flipped through the document. Jason, he said, tapping a section with his pen. Your father insisted on this clause.
If infidelity is proven, she forfeits claims to joint assets. No negotiation. I read the words carefully. Good, I said. That’s all I needed. I spent the next hour putting the rest of my plan together. On my phone, I booked a private dining room for Friday night. Reservation for 4. Then I created a new email account and wrote a single message. Alex, we need to talk. Bring Rachel. Friday, 700 p.m. It concerns something that affects all of us.
Jay, I hit send. At home that evening, Emily sat on the couch scrolling through her phone. I sat down across from her. Do you remember your bachelorette weekend? I asked, she laughed. Barely. We were all wild. Anything you’d want to tell me from it? She looked up for a moment, her expression neutral. No. Why? Just curious, I said. She shrugged and continued scrolling. “Thursday night after dinner, I walked into the living room holding the laptop.” “Emily,” I said quietly.
“I want to show you something.” “Sure,” she said, smiling. I connected the laptop to the TV. The screen lit up with the folder titled Bachelorette Do Not Open. Her face changed instantly. “Jason, why are you?” I pressed play. The first few minutes rolled by, then Alex appeared. Then she entered the room with him. Then the kiss. Emily’s hand flew to her mouth. Jason, stop it. Turn it off, please. I closed the laptop midway through and set it aside.
