“How long have I mistaken secrecy for trust?” I whispered.

Tom didn’t answer.

He kept watching them.

Michael and Rachel eventually separated, but neither moved to leave. Their voices drifted toward us in fragments.

I edged closer while staying behind the trees.

Rachel said something I couldn’t hear.

“Tomorrow,” Michael said. “We should do it soon. We’ll elope, leave all this behind, and start over together.”

Rachel crossed her arms. “You say that like it’s easy. Yesterday made everything harder.”

“You made it harder,” he replied. “Kissing me in front of everyone? What were you thinking?”

“I told you, I was upset.”

“And I told you not to act like that when people are watching. You nearly ruined our disguise.”

My fingers tightened around the phone.

The word disguise told me more than any excuse he’d offered at the party.

Rachel looked away. “Did Sadie suspect anything?”

Michael laughed softly. “No. My dumb wife believed me.”

The words hit hard.

I wanted to step out and ask how long he’d been laughing at me, but I forced myself to stay hidden and keep recording.

I needed everything.

Their plans.

His voice.

Rachel’s answers.

Enough evidence that neither of them could dismiss it as another misunderstanding.

Michael continued describing when they would leave and what they’d tell their families. Rachel asked about the estate.

He told her they couldn’t return now that Tom had the photographs.

Tom looked toward me.

His expression asked the question without words.

Now?

I raised one finger.

Wait.

They continued talking, and our phones captured everything.

Finally, Rachel said she was ready.

I lowered my phone and looked at Tom.

Together, we stepped from behind the trees.

Michael spun around.

Rachel’s hand flew to her mouth.

“We heard everything,” I said. “You’re caught red-handed.”

For a moment, neither responded.

Rachel stared at me in shock.

Michael’s expression changed as he finally understood.

I’d never believed his explanation about the estate.

I’d never believed the kiss was simply a joke.

His own excuse had only given us enough time to discover the truth.

Rachel opened her mouth, but this time no joke came out. She glanced between Tom and me.

Michael stepped forward. “You’re taking that conversation out of context—”

“No,” I said. “We heard you talk about eloping. We heard you call me your dumb wife.”

His face tightened. “Sadie, let me explain.”

Tom raised his phone. “It’s all recorded. The estate photos were only the beginning.”

Rachel stared at me as realization settled over her.

She finally understood why I’d defended Michael in front of everyone.

I hadn’t believed him.

I’d simply wanted them to believe I had.

“You let us leave the party thinking you trusted him,” she said.

“You were both so sure I’d accept any excuse,” I replied. “You thought the kiss was harmless because you could call it a joke. You thought the photographs meant nothing because you had a story ready.”

Michael reached toward me.

I stepped back.

“Don’t.”

His hand dropped.

Rachel’s eyes filled with tears, though I couldn’t tell whether she felt ashamed or was simply afraid of what would happen next.

I remembered her standing in the backyard, smiling while telling me to relax.

Then I looked at both of them and repeated her own words.

“Just a joke.”

This time, no one laughed.