After that I started paying attention.
Not obviously.
Quietly.
I noticed how Daniel checked his phone whenever Vanessa messaged.
I noticed how Vanessa looked at him when she thought I wasn't watching.
Small signals.
Small secrets.
Little pieces of a puzzle forming slowly in my mind.
I hated it.
I didn't want to become suspicious.
But ignoring it would make me a fool.
One evening I caught them standing very close in the kitchen.
They moved apart when I entered.
Too quickly.
That uncomfortable feeling in my chest grew stronger.
Something was definitely wrong.
I just didn't know how bad it was yet.
And what I discovered next made everything worse.