“I was leaving on a business trip, but the flight was canceled and I came back home. When I opened the door, a strange woman was standing there wearing my robe. ‘You must be the realtor, right? My husband said you’d come to evaluate our apartment.’ I silently nodded and stepped inside…”

They moved into the living room. The woman talked easily, offering coffee, speaking about renovation ideas. Paige listened, pretending to study the walls and windows while her mind raced.

“I did not catch your name,” Paige said gently.

“Oh I am Brianna,” the woman replied. “Trevor and I have been together for almost a year.”

Almost a year. Paige remembered the business trips, the late nights, the tired voice on the phone, the excuses. Pieces aligned with terrible clarity.

“So how long have you two been married,” Paige asked casually.

Brianna laughed. “Married. Not yet. We are engaged though. The ring is at the jeweler being resized.”

Paige kept her expression smooth even as nausea curled in her stomach.

They approached the bedroom door. On the dresser sat a framed photo. Trevor and Brianna smiling on a beach. The date on the frame read last August. That was when Trevor had claimed he attended a leadership seminar in Chicago.

The bathroom door opened. Steam drifted out.

Trevor’s voice followed. “Hey babe did you see my…”

He froze when he saw Paige.

For a moment no one spoke. His eyes widened. His lips parted. Then calculation flickered across his face like a switch being flipped.