Before I walk away

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areful. Too careful. And not in the 'I'm planning a surprise party' way. It's more like... he's covering his tracks." "Gut feeling?" Nicole nodded slowly. "And my gut has never lied to me." Camille stayed quiet for a moment. Then, softly, "Julian's always been smooth. But he used to look at you like you were the reason his lungs worked. Has that changed?" Nicole looked down at her glass. "He says the right things. Still kisses my forehead. But it feels rehearsed. Like he's playing a part." Camille tapped her fingers on the counter. "You think there's another woman?" Nicole didn't answer. She didn't have to. "You remember Kendra?" Camille asked. Nicole looked up. "His assistant?" "She used to call you every other day. What happened to that?" Nicole's shoulders stiffened. Kendra. The girl who used to trail Julian like a shadow. Then came the promotion, the silence, the growing gap she hadn't questioned until now. "Maybe nothing. Maybe something," Camille said gently. "But you can't keep giving him the benefit of the doubt just because you love him. People hide sins in smiles every damn day." Nicole didn't say a word, but she felt those words carve their way through her. --- Back home, she curled up on the couch with her laptop balanced on her knees. If there was something to find, she would find it. Julian had trusted her with everything - passwords, bank accounts, even access to their shared drive where they kept everything from tax files to travel plans. Except now, the folders looked... different. There were new ones she hadn't seen before. One has caught her eye: Eden Estates. Inside, there were floor plan