Every time I came back from a work trip, my dog looked… different. New collar, new perfume, new attitude.
My husband said he was bonding. I felt something smelled off. It was another Sunday morning.
I pulled into our driveway after a long night shift at the café, eyes burning, brain buzzing with one thought. The second I opened the door, Bella launched at me like a furry rocket. She was my sweet little white-and-caramel cocker spaniel.
But that time, she looked… airbrushed. And I definitely hadn’t scheduled any grooming appointments. I dropped to my knees and touched her ears.
Perfectly trimmed. A tiny pink bow on her tail. And her fur…
Is that perfume?
My husband, Jason, appeared in the kitchen doorway, wearing lounge shorts and holding a toaster. “Oh hey, you’re back already?”
“Not really. Just dropped her off since I was nearby.
What? I’m bonding. She loves me now.”
He winked.
I blinked. That, from the same man who last week said, ‘She stinks and keeps licking my slippers.’ I scooped Bella up and took another whiff. Nope, not my imagination.
Chanel No.5. Jason grinned, as if it was totally normal. “I sprayed a little on her.
Why? She smells amazing, right?”
A fur-lined pink jumpsuit. Bella’s coat sparkled like she’d just come from a doggy photo shoot.
And again — that expensive scent. “Okay. So now you’re what, a dog fashion influencer?”
I laughed, even though a knot was tightening in my stomach.
“I just want her to feel loved while you’re away. It’s our little tradition now.”
“Cancelled. Actually… I bailed.
I’d rather hang out with Bella than yell at a screen with grown men.”
This is from the man who once shouted “sacrilege!” when I turned off a game during overtime. Something was off. ***
Then came my business trip.
Three days. I came home to Bella’s latest upgrade — a shiny beige collar with a tiny heart-shaped pendant. Jason ran a hand over her head.
“Pretty, huh? The old one broke. Thought I’d surprise you with something fancy.”
I smiled.
Forced it. Waited until he went into the shower. Then I unclipped the collar.
And there, on the inside, written in neat black marker, were the words:
“YOUR HUSBAND IS A CHEATER.”
I froze. Bella gave a soft yip. “You knew.
The story doesn’t end here –
it continues on the next page.
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