Sandra suspects her husband, Mark, of cheating when she sees him with a young woman. Her discovery of evidence fuels her suspicion, but she’s unprepared for the shocking truth Mark reveals during their confrontation.

Sandra laughed heartily and loudly as Janet recounted her foster son’s laundry mishap. But she quieted down at the disapproving glances from other patrons in the upmarket Mexican restaurant where she was dining with her best friend. “The things we do for children,” Janet smiled. “You and Mark should consider fostering. It’s fulfilling.”

Sandra sighed, poking at the lime wedge accompanying her serving of Carnitas. She harbored doubts about bonding with a foster child, and her heart ached from the knowledge that she and Mark couldn’t have their own children. “Isn’t that Mark over there?” Janet suddenly said, distracting her.

Sandra slid down toward the end of the horseshoe-shaped booth so she could peer past the lush, potted plants that towered above their table. “He might be here on business. I know he sometimes brings clients here for lunch.” “There, Sandra, just past the huge chiminea,” Janet said helpfully.

Sandra grinned when she spotted her husband weaving through the tables positioned around the chiminea in the central part of the dining room. She was about to wave at him to get his attention when he slid into the booth behind them. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting, sweetheart,” Mark said as he smiled tenderly at a beautiful young woman before he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Sandra’s heart raced. Janet moved beside her, offering a low-voiced comment. “I’m not sure that’s a business meeting, sweetie.” Tears welled up in Sandra’s eyes. Despite twenty years of marriage, her husband was having an… affair? “But maybe I’m wrong,” Janet continued in a falsely cheerful whisper.

“I mean, I’ve often had to flirt a little with prospective clients to get them to loosen up. Maybe Mark’s doing the same thing.” “No, I think we both know what’s going on over there, Janet,” Sandra hissed. She snapped up her fork and rose. “I’m going to go over there, tell him what a jerk he is, and stick this fork right in his—”

“Woah!” Janet put her hands on Sandra’s elbows and pulled her back down into the booth. “You can’t just rush over there and assault him, Sandy. Yes, this looks incredibly shady, but there might still be a reasonable explanation.” “Maybe you’re right,” Sandra said, calming down.

Eventually, she and Janet hid behind a small palm tree’s stems so they’d have a clear view of Mark and his… female companion. They watched as Mark and the woman whispered and sat closer, his arm around her. Mark glanced around the restaurant sheepishly before raising his menu like a shield, completely hiding both his and the woman’s faces.

Sandra’s imagination ran wild with awful images of them kissing behind the menu. When the waiter arrived, Mark lowered the menu to order drinks and playfully stole a bite of the woman’s appetizer. “There could be an innocent explanation,” Janet whispered. “Maybe it’s Amy, his boss’s daughter?”

“Maybe. But if he’s cheating…” Sandra’s heart sank at the thought. “We’ll get evidence first,” Janet said firmly. “And if he is, I’ve got great divorce lawyers.” As they pondered their next steps, a waitress approached, inquiring if something was bothering them.

Sandra pointed towards Mark’s table, asking the waitress about the couple. “They’ve been here often,” the waitress replied. “Are they always that cozy with each other?” Sandra asked. “I’m sorry, but is there a reason you’re so curious about that table?”

“No, it’s just that I’m sure I’ve seen that man buying clothing for a totally different woman,” Janet cut in. “My friend and I were just debating whether we should post a picture of him on our socials in case he’s cheating.” The waitress briskly shook her head.

“Sorry ladies, but management would have a fit if this restaurant was associated with something so scandalous. If I see either of you snapping photos of anything other than the food, I’ll have to alert my manager.” “Well, we certainly wouldn’t want to get into any trouble.” Janet smiled brightly and gestured to the remains of their dinner.

“Could you please bring us the bill and box this up to go? We have to leave.” The next day, Sandra, following a plan devised with Janet, brought Mark’s lunch to work, aiming to spot Amy. Upon entering Mark’s office, she froze, seeing the same woman from the restaurant beside him.

“Sandy!” Mark exclaimed, surprised. “What are you doing here?” “I brought lunch,” Sandra replied, approaching the woman. “Hello, I’m guessing we haven’t met before. I’m Sandra, Mark’s wife.” “You’re Sandra?” The woman’s face lit up, and she enthusiastically shook Sandra’s hand.

“Mark’s told me so much about you. I’m Eliza, Mark’s—” “Secretary!” Mark rushed up to join them. “Eliza is my secretary. We were just working on the presentation for this evening’s launch event.” “You look familiar… do I know you from somewhere, Eliza?”

Sandra asked. Eliza averted her gaze and shook her head. “No, Mrs. Baker, I don’t think so. I’ve only been working here for a month.” Sandra looked at Mark suspiciously. “I’m sure you never mentioned that your previous secretary had left!”

“Nina was promoted to work with Mr. Davies after his secretary retired. Eliza here is Nina’s replacement. She’s really great at admin and has a real knack for the creative side of things, too.” “You should be singing her praises to Davies, not me,” Sandra said, turning to look at Eliza.

“These are exquisite,” she added, referring to Eliza’s earrings. “They were a gift from my fa-father,” explained the young girl. “Wow, did you bring this all the way down here just for me?” Mark interjected, admiring the lunch as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

“Thanks for this, honey. But Eliza and I already ate.” “I hope you avoided all the high sodium and sugary foods,” Sandra said, her eyes fixed on the takeout containers in the dustbin. “Anyway, some hungry interns will appreciate the homemade food.”