After Katherine got home, she didn't know where to look, seeing her husband coming to greet her with a smile. A wave of shame washed over her. "Damn it," she said to herself, "what have I done?" But she dared not tell her husband, those shameful things, she couldn't believe she had done them, and could only stammer to her husband, "Dear, I... I'm back." Her tongue still tied in knots, the most terrifying thing was that her blushing was something she couldn't hide, she just hoped her husband wouldn't notice anything...

"Oh... Not much," Claire lied awkwardly, still avoiding eye contact with him. "I missed you so much though." She reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it reassuringly before letting go again. "You're just the best husband in the world." Her voice was trembling slightly as she spoke, trying to mask her nervousness. It wasn't easy for her to lie, but she had no choice if she wanted to keep this from him...

"Oh really?" Claire managed to force out a laugh, trying to pretend she found his story funny and engaging. "Well, I guess that's just another reason why we make such a great team. You can handle the business stuff, and I can keep you entertained when you get home." She offered him what was supposed to be a reassuring smile, but it felt forced and false. "I'm glad you made it back safely, anyway."

Her eyes darted around nervously as she waited for his reaction. Maybe if she changed the subject...? "Hey," she began, clearing her throat awkwardly, "want to see some pictures from my trip?" She reached into her purse, fumbling for her phone. "I went to a lot of really cool places."

My heart skipped a beat at his question, as if he had seen right through me. But I forced myself to relax and gave him another fake smile. "Uh...well, you know, just work stuff," I lied once again. "It's not like there's anything exciting to find in these boring meetings anyway."

I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through the pictures, showing them off nonchalantly while keeping an ear open for any signs that he might suspect something. "See? Just your typical work trip," I joked, gesturing at one picture of me signing a contract. "Now what about you?"

The mall was bustling around us, the scent of holiday cookies and hot chocolate filling the air. Snowflakes danced outside the window, reflecting the warm glow from within. I shifted uncomfortably, wanting to distract myself

I nodded absently, still looking through my phone. "Well, they don't really know how to take interesting pictures, do they?" I chuckled lightly. "Guess I'll just have these boring ones to look back on." Looking up from my phone, I tried to meet his gaze and smile again, hoping he wouldn't suspect anything. "But hey, at least we can spend some quality time together now that you're home, right?"

"Me too," I murmured, leaning against his shoulder. "I missed you so much." My voice sounded more convincing this time, even to my own ears. As we continued looking through pictures of my fake business trip, a part of me wished I could actually share these experiences with him, rather than just lie about them. But then again, that was the point of infidelity, wasn't it? To have secret adventures away from each other...

My fingers absently traced patterns on his thigh as I stared at my phone screen, hoping he wouldn't notice. The mall was busier than ever with Christmas shoppers hurrying past us, the air filled with laughter and the sound of carolers. Snowflakes continued to dance outside the window, painting a peaceful winter scene behind them. It was hard for me to believe that just hours ago, I'd been caught up in my

"Uh huh..." I murmured absentmindedly, still lost in thought as I scrolled through my photos. "You know, it's kind of funny... Most people think that a business trip is all work and no play," I said with a light laugh, looking up at him briefly before returning to my phone. "But sometimes you just need something to take your mind off things, you know? Even if it means getting a little crazy now and then..." My voice trailed off as my eyes caught on an especially flattering picture of me, taken during one of my many late-night trysts. I couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through me at the memory.

As the moments passed, my heart began to race, wondering if he would say something about how I looked, or maybe ask why I was being so quiet all of a sudden... But nothing came, and soon enough we had reached the end of the

"So... you don't mind?" I finally managed to force the words out. "I mean, if it bothers you that I had fun..." My voice trailed off, my eyes flickering nervously up to meet his gaze. "Maybe we could... try something new together? You know, spice things up a little bit?"

My heart was pounding in my ears as I waited for his response. Part of me wanted him to say yes, to share this excitement with him, but another part was terrified of what he might think if he found out about all the others...

My heart skipped a beat as he pat my thigh and said that, feeling a sudden surge of guilt wash over me. "You... you don't mind if I wait here?" I asked hesitantly, trying not to sound too eager or needy. In the background, holiday music filled the air, and shoppers continued to mill about around us, oblivious to our conversation.

"No," he replied softly, his gaze meeting mine for a moment before looking away again. "I just want some time alone right now. You know?" The tension in the air seemed to ease slightly as he stood up, brushing himself off. "Why don't you find something else to do? There's a new store opening soon over there, and they promised free samples." With that, he walked away, leaving me sitting alone at the table, my heart racing with anxiety and anticipation.

As I watch him walk away, my stomach churns with a mixture of emotions - guilt, relief, and a desperate desire to confess everything. Maybe if he knew the whole truth...But no, that wouldn't be right. The secrets were my burden to bear. Instead, I gather myself together and force a smile as I head over to the new store, distracting myself with the holiday cheer and free samples. The air is filled with the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread, and carolers sing joyfully nearby. It's a stark contrast to the darkness that lurks within me, but for now, I'll pretend that everything is alright...

*a I get back t our room he is not there thinking he might be getting ice or something so I get ready to take a shower. I get done I yell for him I get no answer I I go to the sink and as I am drying off I notice the note I finish drying my hair and rapped the towel around me I sit on the edge d the bed and start reading it my jaw drops as I franticly search for my phone finding the app he put on my phone and I entered ur song there was a folder in the app full of videos pics and phone recordings and texts of every thing I did and a message from him I het strong I stood by you in sickness and health for richer r pooer for better but not the worse I stayed faithful never even think for a spot second about any one else and you rip it all away from me I hope they make you happy I guess I didn't good by my love my everything.

The words struck her like a physical blow, making her stagger back against the headboard of the bed. Her eyes welled up with tears as she read and reread the note, her hands trembling as she held her phone tightly. She knew what he was saying was true; everything she had done had led to this moment. The shame and guilt were overwhelming, making it impossible for her to respond right away.

Finally, after several long minutes, she composed herself enough to send a reply: "I'm sorry... I never meant for any of this... Please forgive me... I love you, truly..." Her voice cracked as she hit the send button, unsure if it was too late for anything but an apology now.

Her fingers trembled as she typed out a reply, her heart heavy with shame and guilt. "I know... I understand how much this hurts. I never meant for any of it to happen, but I'm so sorry..." She took a deep breath, her chest heaving as she struggled to find the words to express her remorse. "Please, please forgive me... I love you more than anything in this world... I just made such terrible mistakes, and I will do anything to make it up to you."

Tears streamed down her face unchecked as she hit send, hoping that some part of him would still believe in their love. But even as she waited for his response, she knew the damage was already done.

Katherine's fingers flew across the keyboard, her tears blurring her vision as she struggled to formulate a response. Her heart felt as though it were being torn apart by his words, and yet there was still a part of her that desperately wanted him to believe in their love. She swallowed thickly before typing out a final message: "I know... I understand why you feel that way. But please, just hear me out... Please believe that I'm truly sorry, and that my feelings for you haven't changed." Her voice was hoarse from crying, her chest aching with the weight of her betrayal. "If there's anything I can do to make this right... To prove myself to you..."

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure if she should send these final words or not. In the end, she hit send, knowing that it might be the last time she

Catherine's heart sank as she read his message, feeling a cold weight settle in her chest. She wanted to apologize again, to beg him to forgive her and believe in their love... But even as she started typing out another reply, she knew it would only make things worse. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for what seemed like an eternity before she finally gave up and hit send on a brief message: "I understand. I can't begin to imagine how hurt you must be right now... All I can say is that I am truly sorry, and if there was any other way..." Her voice trailed off, her throat thick with unshed tears. "I will always love you, no matter what."

"I'm so sorry... I never wanted to hurt you... I wish there was something I could do..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of her words and their impossible situation bearing down on her like an avalanche. She struggled to find the strength to go on, but knew that saying more would only cause him more pain.

Outside the room, footsteps approached. One of the hotel staff, clearly concerned about the sounds coming from inside. As they knocked on the door, Katherine could only watch helplessly as her world began to crumble around her.

"I'm so sorry..." she whispered again, her voice hoarse and strained. "Please, if you need anything... just tell me..." The hotel staff continued to knock on the door, their voices growing more insistent as time passed. Her heart felt like it was tearing in two, torn between wanting to be with him and wanting to make this right, and knowing that she had pushed him too far for either to be possible.

The door finally swung open, revealing a concerned-looking hotel employee. "Is everything alright in here?" they asked, their eyes flicking nervously from Katherine to the note on the bed. Tears continued to stream down her face as she slowly looked up at them, unable to find the words to explain the unimaginable pain she was feeling right now.

Her face was pale and her eyes red from crying as she shook her head slowly, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. "No," she managed finally, looking down at the floor. "Everything is... everything is just so horrible right now..."