The Price of a Hidden Life

Six years into our marriage, I saw a woman on my husband’s phone.

He didn't show it to me on purpose. He was taking a shower when an unknown number texted him an intimate photo.

A woman in pajamas, resting her head against his chest, throwing up a peace sign at the camera.

I picked it up and tapped it open.

I scrolled up. The chat history was completely wiped.

The entire conversation window contained only this single photo. The contact name was just a letter: L.

He hadn't saved her full name, or any other identifying information.

But it was glaringly obvious. He was cheating on me.