Every Saturday, Steven left to “visit his parents,” but something didn’t add up. A new shirt, a jewelry receipt, and the flimsy excuses he gave had my mind racing, so I decided to follow him. What I discovered left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the man I loved.
Living with Steven felt like true happiness—or at least, it used to. We’d been inseparable for two years before that moment. We were the kind of couple that made others roll their eyes. Steven was attentive, witty, and, yes, stubborn as a mule when it came to admitting he was wrong.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
But that stubbornness had seemed charming once. At that time, it felt like a wall between us.
My dance studio was my sanctuary, my pride and joy. Watching students find confidence and grace in their movements made every long day worth it. I often wished Steven would join me, if only for one class. But he always had an excuse.
“I’ve got two left feet,” he used to joke. “You don’t want me scaring off your clients.”
Lately, though, something had shifted.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Every Saturday, he disappeared, claiming he was visiting his parents. At first, I didn’t mind. Everyone needs time with their family, right? But after months of his dismissiveness, whenever I suggested tagging along, the unease began to creep in.
Then came the shirt.
It wasn’t one I’d seen before—soft, stylish, and completely unlike his usual choices.
“Is this new?” I’d asked casually, folding it with the rest of the laundry.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, yeah,” he said without looking up from his laptop. “Got it on sale a while back.”
Steven hates shopping!
I let it slide that time. A few days later, I found the receipt.
I wasn’t snooping. It was sticking out of the trash, practically waving at me. A jewelry store. My heart skipped a beat. Steven hadn’t mentioned buying jewelry. And he certainly hadn’t gifted me any recently.
“Hey, Steven,” I tried to sound breezy that night. “You’ve been acting… busy these days. Everything okay?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Busy?” He laughed, not even glancing up from his phone. “I guess work’s been hectic, but nothing crazy. Why?”
“No reason.” I forced a smile and leaned back against the pillows. But my mind raced.
Who was that jewelry for?
Saturday mornings became unbearable. Watching him lace up his shoes and grab his keys felt like slow torture.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“See you later,” he said, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before heading out.
That night, I lay awake, my thoughts spinning. By the time dawn crept through the curtains, my decision was made. Next Saturday, I am going to find out exactly what Steven is hiding.
***
Saturday morning arrived, and I slipped into my role as a covert detective.
Over breakfast, I casually buttered my toast and sipped coffee, keeping my tone light as I said, “I’ve got a class to teach today, so I’ll be out for most of the morning.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Steven smiled, pulling on his jacket. “Alright. I’ll see you later, then.”
“Have fun at your parents’,” I added with a steady voice.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I sprang into action. My heart pounded as I grabbed my sunglasses, scarf, and keys, throwing on a jacket that I hoped screamed “inconspicuous.” I got into my car.
“Detective Clara reporting for duty,” I muttered, trying to psych myself up.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Steven’s car wasn’t hard to spot. I followed at a careful distance, trying to keep my hands from shaking on the wheel. Suddenly, he took an unexpected exit toward the business district, and my stomach dropped.
What could he possibly be doing here?
I trailed him to a little café with colorful flower boxes lining the windows. My breath caught as I watched him step out of the car.
And then I saw her—a blonde.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
She was tall, elegant, and polished, the kind of woman who looked like she walked straight off a runway.
Steven smiled as he approached her, and they stepped inside. They looked so comfortable together, laughing and chatting like old friends.
Who is she?
Her face felt oddly familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why. My heart raced. Whatever that was, I wasn’t letting it end there. I had to follow them.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
When Steven and the blonde climbed into his car, my hands tightened around the steering wheel as I followed at a safe distance. We drove through the business district, passing streets I barely recognized.
Where are they going?
Steven had always said his Saturdays were about family, but nothing about that ride screamed “family visit.”
When he turned into a sleek parking lot and stopped, the name on the window gleamed in the sunlight: a dance studio.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
A dance studio? Is this some kind of joke? Steven, the man who claims he’d rather sprain his ankle than take a dance lesson, is here?
I parked a few spaces away and slipped out of my car, moving quickly but carefully. My scarf was pulled tight, sunglasses perched on my nose, though I wasn’t sure anyone would recognize me here.
The studio doors were slightly ajar, and I stepped inside, hugging the wall as I peeked around the corner. Steven stood in the center of the room, his hand firmly clasped in hers.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
His movements were clumsy, his steps far from graceful, but there he was dancing. I stared at them, my chest tightening with every passing second.
He said he hated dancing! He told me it wasn’t his thing, that he’d never do it. And now this?
My eyes shifted to her. The way she moved was too familiar. The turn of her head, the precision in her steps… It clicked in an instant.
