I really wanted to do something reckless last night, but I didn’t. As mad as I was about finding out Charles has been cheating on me, I just couldn’t.

It’s humiliating how instinctively loyal I am. Like my body refuses to betray a man who already betrayed me.

The kitchen smells like toasted bread and coffee when I walk in. Morning light pools on the marble counters like something holy.

Exhaustion drapes over me; my head throbs, my heart feels… hollow.

Eli, the chef, is already plating breakfast. He’s younger than most of the staff here, probably twenty six. Tall, warm brown skin, arms roped with lean muscle from kneading...