"We had a deal. Marrying Melvin Gilbert was only supposed to throw her off the scent. You're the one who's supposed to be sharing the bridal suite with me tonight."
Even though I already knew the truth, the words still drove through my chest like a blade.
Otis had no idea that I'd found this phone a week ago.
That I already knew today's wedding was nothing but a performance staged for my benefit.
I scrolled further up. The messages grew worse. Explicit. Shameless. The kind of things that made my stomach turn.
The very first message had been sent three years ago today.
The same day I'd discovered Otis's wandering affections and demanded a divorce. The same day he'd slit his wrists to keep me from leaving.
He'd gripped my hand, his eyes bloodshot and wild.
"Elaine, I know I was wrong. Can we start over? Please?"
But two hours after they saved his life, he was already flirting with Vivian.
A sharp, twisting pain tore through my lower abdomen. It didn't compare to even a fraction of the agony in my heart.
I saved every last one of those messages.
That was when Otis came out of the bathroom. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his voice soft and coaxing.
"See? I told you there was nothing. You still don't trust your husband?"
I pushed him off and tapped the divorce papers.
"Now that you're all cleaned up, sign these. I don't like dragging things out."
The light in Otis's eyes went dead.
"Elaine Delgado, I handed you my phone. How long are you going to keep this up?"
"Vivian and I are ancient history. Why do you insist on dredging it back up? How do you think Melvin would feel if he heard you talking like this?"
Melvin Gilbert was his best friend.
Every time he saw me, he'd flash that easy grin and call me "sis." When I'd first caught on that something was off between Otis and Vivian, Melvin had stood firmly on my side. He'd torn into Otis, called him out, and all but forced him to apologize to me.
Like a self-appointed guardian of my marriage with Otis.
And this was the same man who'd been covering for him behind the scenes all along, helping him cheat again and again without getting caught.
A sharp cramp twisted through my abdomen, so fierce it stole the words right out of my mouth.
That was when Otis's phone rang.