Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Seed of Suspicion
Sophia Bennett had always considered herself a reasonable woman. At least, she had been before pregnancy hormones hijacked her body, turning her into an emotional rollercoaster with no brakes. Now, at six months pregnant, her moods swung unpredictably between loving devotion to her husband, Daniel, and an overwhelming urge to strangle him over the smallest things—like how he chewed too loudly or left his socks in the hallway.
But lately, a new emotion had taken root: suspicion.
It started small. Daniel had been coming home later than usual, always blaming it on extra work. He’d glance at his phone and type quickly, smiling at something on the screen. Normally, Sophia wouldn’t have cared, but “normal” left the building the moment her pregnancy cravings made her cry over a burnt piece of toast.
Tonight, she sat curled up on the couch in their cozy living room, a bowl of ice cream balanced on her belly. Daniel was in the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge after just getting home from work.
“How was your day?” he asked casually, popping open a soda.
Sophia squinted at him. “Exhausting. The baby kicked me all day. What about you?”
Daniel took a sip of his drink, leaning against the counter. “Busy. We have a new hire at the office, so I’ve been helping her get settled.”
Her spoon froze mid-air. Her?
Sophia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh? What’s her name?”
“Vanessa Carter,” he answered easily. “She just transferred from another branch. She’s pretty sharp—picking things up fast.”
Pretty? Sharp? Oh, so he’s been noticing details about her now?
A slow, irrational fire sparked in Sophia’s chest. She knew she was being ridiculous, but pregnancy had removed her filter for logic. A few weeks ago, she’d cried because Daniel ate the last slice of pizza without asking. Now, the idea of him casually working alongside a “sharp” new hire made her stomach twist.
She tried to keep her voice light. “So… you’ve been spending a lot of time with Vanessa?”
Daniel chuckled, not sensing the danger in her tone. “I mean, yeah, but just for work. She’s new.”
Sophia stabbed her ice cream aggressively. That’s how it always starts.
And just like that, the seed of suspicion was planted.
