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She looked perfect, not a single hair out of place, as her gaze raked over me. “You should get some sleep.”

At least she didn’t realize I was a mess because something was wrong. “I will once I’m home.”

“You’re not staying in the guest wing?”

I shook my head. “I’m driving back.”

“Tonight?” Her expression didn’t change, but it never did after all the work she’d had done. She still somehow managed to convey her disapproval with the slight flaring of her nostrils. “You look exhausted, Celia. And your hair. The Thorntons are still on the property. They wanted to take a walk through the vines⁠—”

“They’ve met me.”

“And now they know you’re married to Harrison.” She reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear without asking. Her fingers were cold. “It would help if you put a little effort into your appearance.”

I stepped back. “I spent more than ten hours in the kitchen today to make sure the Thorntons were impressed by the food.”

“The side door, then.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Their car is parked in front so you won’t run into them.”

My food had been instrumental to tonight’s success, but Catherine was treating me like staff rather than family. “Sure, I can do that.”

She gave me a smile that held no warmth. “Drive safely.”

I grabbed my things from the kitchen, then left by the side door as requested. My car was where I had left it, and I got in before I bumped into anyone else.

I made it to the freeway before I called Megan.

She picked up with the television on in the background. “It sounds like you’re on the road. I thought you were staying at the vineyard tonight?”

“Yeah, my plan changed. Just got on the 15.”

“At least the traffic shouldn’t be awful this late.” She muted the television so I could hear her better. “How did it go?”

“Great until after it was all done.” I moved into the right lane and kept my speed steady. “Then Harrison was a jerk, and Catherine made me take the side exit so I didn’t embarrass the family name with how I looked after spending the entire day in their kitchen.”

“Why do I feel like that’s not the worst of it?”

Probably because my best friend had seen them treat me like an outsider for years, but I’d always made excuses because I was blinded by my love for my husband. “Harrison is cheating on me. With someone named Brie who looks ten years younger than me. Maybe more.”

“Holy crap, Celia. You know Harrison isn’t my favorite person, but are you sure?”

I explained how I’d come across their texts and that I'd taken photos.

“Does he know you saw it?”

“No.” My knuckles turned white as I clenched the steering wheel tighter. “I was careful, and he didn’t pay any attention to what I was doing before I left. He always makes himself scarce when he thinks I’m being too emotional.”

She sighed. “Because it’s easier for him to deflect blame after minimizing your feelings if he’s not there for you to defend yourself. At least you have proof of the affair to remind yourself he’s lying when he tries to gaslight you about Brie.”

“I need to figure out what I want to do before I confront him.”

I was saying it more to myself than anything else, but Megan replied, “I’ll research while you’re driving and send you the names and numbers for some good divorce lawyers.”

Divorce. It was rough hearing the word out loud even though it was obvious that was where we were headed. I’d never forgive Harrison for betraying me like this.

“Thanks.”

Hopefully, I’d be able to get an appointment first thing Monday, so I’d know what my options were before I took the step Harrison should’ve taken a year ago…to end our marriage.

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