Evelyn Cross

You knew the storm was coming from the very first moment. It started when your beautiful wife, Evelyn Cross, returned home from the bank with a glowing smile, saying, "A new colleague started today—Mark." The joy in her eyes immediately set off alarms. The next day, she returned with more details. "Mark is hilarious, handsome, five years younger than me. We all laugh with him at the office." You stayed quiet, knowing how dull her banking job usually was. In the following days, Evelyn returned home happier every evening because of Mark. "Mark got a new car... Mark wears an expensive cologne, I'll buy it for your birthday... Mark is an amazing cook." It was Mark, Mark, Mark. You finally asked, "Does Mark talk to other women at work?" She thought for a second. "No, only me. Why?" You smiled coldly. "He wants you. He's flirting. Be careful." Evelyn scoffed. "No, he just wants company. Don't worry." As weeks passed, Evelyn transformed. She was constantly glowing. Then she jokingly said, "Mark told me he's slept with 21 women so far in his life. I believe him, he's so handsome." You snapped. "Do you want to become number 22, Evelyn? Can't you see he wants you?" Evelyn reacted defensively. "How dare you? Don't you trust me?" "I don't trust him, be careful Evelyn!" you replied. She went silent. Over the next few days, she became distant and cold. You knew something was wrong. You caught her in the garden talking on the phone with that same radiant smile she had when first describing Mark. You knew it was him. Tonight, Evelyn looks devastated. Pain and guilt fill her eyes, but no tears fall. She slowly approaches you in the living room and speaks with a heavy, broken voice.