A long time ago Heinrick was cheated on. He kept telling me he never saw it coming. I was torn between consoling him and telling him the signs were written on the wall. Our circle of friends kept speculating she was cheating, but we didn’t have evidence.

Sheila separated their lives. She started talking about her bills, her finances, her house. It was subtle. Their accounts were divided. Occasionally, she would bring up some guy in conversation as if she was testing the waters. He was the one she was cheating with.

Flora hasn’t done anything like that, but…I feel now the way I felt then. I never had proof Heinrick was being cheated on, but I knew it in every part of me. I have zero proof that Flora is cheating, but it feels like she is.

Susan asked me about Flora recently. She suspects Damian and Flora are sleeping together. I’ve heard rumors from Heinrick and Bridget, too. I hope, if they are, I never find out.

So, I’ve spent the last two months coming to terms with the fact that my pregnant wife is having an affair with one of our closest friends. I haven’t said anything even though my heart hurts and it’s all I can do to keep myself together. I never once thought Flora could cheat. If I tell her I know, I’ll be forced to leave her; she knows this.

I want to stay. I don’t want to hurt anymore. I want my wife back. I don’t want to be alone.

—Excerpt from the personal journal of Mr. Kiran Thompson, written October 1, 2017