Initial Probe
Catching him relaxed on the sofa, watching a game, I sidled up casually. "Hey, shouldn’t those old socks and underwear be cleared out? They’re taking space." Aiming for nonchalance. "Old socks?" he murmured, eyes fixed on the screen. "None worth tossing—still wearable." Calm, dismissive. "I recall something tucked in the corner..." I probed, studying his profile. "Oh," he brushed off, "maybe—I’ll check later." A goal scored; he slapped his thigh. "Perfect shot!" Conversation over.
Mother-in-Law’s Arrival
No flicker of guilt. Either oblivious or masterfully deceptive. Bang! Bang! Bang! Urgent knocking—undoubtedly my mother-in-law. Opening the door revealed her perpetually scowling face. Carrying a cloth bag, she bustled past, complaining as she changed shoes: "Hallway lights broken again! Useless property managers..." Scanning the room, she ignored me and called toward David’s study: "David! David, home?".
Familiar Territory
"He’s in the study," I said, trailing her. She hummed acknowledgment and strode purposefully through the living room toward our bedroom—door ajar. My heart leaped to my throat. "Mom, you—" Before I could finish, she pushed inside. Following, I saw her head straight for the walk-in closet, yanking open David’s wardrobe door! Blood drained from my face as I froze in the doorway.
NEXT >>
Catching him relaxed on the sofa, watching a game, I sidled up casually. "Hey, shouldn’t those old socks and underwear be cleared out? They’re taking space." Aiming for nonchalance. "Old socks?" he murmured, eyes fixed on the screen. "None worth tossing—still wearable." Calm, dismissive. "I recall something tucked in the corner..." I probed, studying his profile. "Oh," he brushed off, "maybe—I’ll check later." A goal scored; he slapped his thigh. "Perfect shot!" Conversation over.
Mother-in-Law’s Arrival
No flicker of guilt. Either oblivious or masterfully deceptive. Bang! Bang! Bang! Urgent knocking—undoubtedly my mother-in-law. Opening the door revealed her perpetually scowling face. Carrying a cloth bag, she bustled past, complaining as she changed shoes: "Hallway lights broken again! Useless property managers..." Scanning the room, she ignored me and called toward David’s study: "David! David, home?".
Familiar Territory
"He’s in the study," I said, trailing her. She hummed acknowledgment and strode purposefully through the living room toward our bedroom—door ajar. My heart leaped to my throat. "Mom, you—" Before I could finish, she pushed inside. Following, I saw her head straight for the walk-in closet, yanking open David’s wardrobe door! Blood drained from my face as I froze in the doorway.
NEXT >>
Comment