While I Watched Their Kids, He Lived a Secret Life novel · Chapter 14 of 24

Chapter 14: The Guest List

I crossed the study and put my hand flat on the laptop lid.

"The printer's in the hall," I said.

"I know where it is." He grinned. "I got curious. Why does a tax folder need a password?"

So he had already tried to open it.

I felt my pulse in my throat, and I kept my face still.

"Because it has your Social Security number in it," I said. "And mine. And the account numbers. The accountant told me to lock it years ago."

"You never told me."

"You never asked about our taxes. Not once in eight years."

His grin slipped.

"I'm just saying. If you've got something to hide..."

"Neil."

I looked straight at him.

"I spend every weekend watching other people's children. I spend every evening on your laundry and your calendar and your mother. If I had a secret, I wouldn't keep it in a folder called Taxes."

He opened his mouth and shut it.

"Friday," I said. "Sit down with me, and I'll print last year's return. You can read every page."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Fine. Forget it. I was just being nosy."

"You were."

I closed the laptop and tucked it under my arm.

He watched me walk out, and his eyes stayed on my back.

I had lied to a man for eight years by saying nothing, and it turned out I could lie out loud too.

I went upstairs and locked myself in the bathroom and ran the water until my hands stopped shaking.

On Friday I printed last year's return and handed it to him, and he did not read a page.

On Saturday evening I put on the green dress.

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