Chapter 4

The unease festered.

Olivia was often "at the care facility" or "running errands for Mrs. Peterson."

Her phone was always with her, often silenced.

I tried to talk to her, to understand what was really going on.

She' d just get defensive, or cry, accusing me of not trusting her after her heartfelt explanation.

My suspension from work continued, HR dragging their feet.

The stress was immense. I felt isolated.

One evening, Olivia was in the shower.

Her tablet lay on the nightstand. It was unlocked.

Normally, I wouldn't look. Privacy was important to us.

But a notification popped up on the screen.

My heart lurched.

It was from The Cascade Inn.

"Your Gold Member booking at The Cascade Inn is confirmed for tonight. Enjoy your complimentary champagne."

The Cascade Inn.

Not a wellness retreat. Not a budget motel.

It was one of the most expensive, exclusive boutique hotels in Seattle.

Known for its discretion, its luxury suites.

Tonight.

Olivia was supposed to be at a late support group meeting for caregivers, something she'd recently joined.

My hands were shaking as I picked up the tablet.

I didn't need to snoop further. The notification was enough.

The complimentary champagne. Gold Member.

This wasn't a one-time thing.

A cold fury mixed with a sickening dread washed over me.

The image of her at the care facility, spoon-feeding Mrs. Peterson, flashed in my mind.

Her tears, her explanation about my mother.

Lies. All lies.

The cheap body wash wasn't from a retreat. It was probably from quick showers at some other place.

The forgotten anniversary, the cilantro – she wasn't just distracted. She was living another life.

A life that included expensive hotels and champagne.

A life I wasn't part of.

Who was she meeting?

The name on the booking wasn't clear from the notification, just "Your Gold Member booking."

But I had a terrible, sinking feeling I knew.

Derek.

Her charismatic ex-boyfriend from college.

A struggling musician she claimed she hadn't seen in years.

She'd mentioned him once, long ago, how intense their relationship had been.

I had to know.

I couldn't breathe in that house anymore, surrounded by her lies.

I grabbed my keys.

I was going to The Cascade Inn.