The Wrong Size

1
I got home after midnight from a business trip to find my husband gone, but a womans blousenot minelay on the sofa.
When I called, he claimed to be working late. I asked directly about the blouse. Its a gift for you, he said casually. Try it on.
I held it upit was a size too small. Julian, I wear a Medium, not a Small. As a fashion designer, he knew my size perfectly.
After a brief pause, he explained, I had one made for you and one for my sister. I must have mixed them up. Ill swap it tomorrow. He then softened, sounding tired: Ellie, Ive missed you so much.
Hearing his vulnerability, my heart softeneduntil I realized: my sister-in-law Diana wears the same size as me.

The blouse was exquisitely made; it certainly had the look of something Julian had designed himself. But the feel of the fabric under my fingertips sparked a fresh wave of doubt. Diana and I were practically body doublesboth of us solidly a size Medium.
Could he really have gotten our sizes wrong?
I dismissed the thought. It was impossible. Julian was a professional designer, and he was closer to us than anyone. How could he possibly make a size Small blouse for either of us?
Unless unless the blouse wasn't made for me, or for Diana.
Then who was it for?
The question took root in my mind, wrapping around my thoughts like an invasive vine. I forced myself to calm down and opened the pet monitoring app on my phone. Id been away for a month, and the one I worried about most was our cat. Id installed cameras in the living room and bedroom specifically for that reason.
I scrolled the timeline back to the day I left.
Other than the cat sitter who came by every day to feed him and clean the litter box, no one else had entered the apartment. No visitors.
It seemed I was overthinking things. Julian must have just been exhausted from work.
I closed the app and tossed the blouse back on the sofa, determined to let it go. Maybe it was simple. Maybe I was just tired, my mind playing tricks on me. I took a quick shower and ended up falling asleep on the couch.
I was startled awake by the sound of the front door opening early the next morning.
Julian was back. His face was etched with fatigue. He froze for a second when he saw me.
Ellie? What are you doing sleeping on the sofa? You scared me. He said it while taking off his shoes.
I wanted to surprise you. I stood up and took his briefcase from him. Have you had breakfast? I can make you some pasta.
No, its fine. I ate at the office. He stretched, rubbing his shoulder, and his eyes landed on the blouse. Oh, right, the blouse. Did you try it on? Does it fit?
I watched him in silence for a few seconds before asking, trying to sound casual, I was just thinking, isnt Diana about the same size as me? Since when does she wear a Small?
Julians smile froze.
That brief, almost imperceptible pause made my heart sink all over again.
Ah He let out a long sigh, his voice dropping. Youve been gone for a month, you havent had a chance to check in on family.
Diana she got really sick a while back. She was in the hospital for over two weeks, lost a shocking amount of weight.
Ive been buried in work at the office, and then Ive had to go straight to the hospital to take care of her after. Im completely drained.
I must have measured her then, and my brain just short-circuited and remembered the wrong size. I figured since you two were similar, I just brought yours home when they were both done.
As he spoke, his voice grew thick with emotion.
My heart twisted. Guilt washed over me, drowning out all my suspicions. Id been gone a month, and as her sister-in-law, I hadnt even called her once. She had been so sick, and I knew nothing about it. Instead, I was here, letting a single piece of clothing turn me into a paranoid wreck.
What kind of wife was I?
Im so sorry, Julian. Thats my fault, I apologized immediately. I didnt know Diana was sick. Ill go with you to see her tomorrow.
Its okay. You were busy with work, Julians voice softened again. Im just Im exhausted, a little emotional. You should get some sleep. Im going to take a shower.
Watching his back as he walked into the bathroom, I was a mess of conflicting emotions.
I hoped, I really hoped, that I was just overthinking things.
The next morning, Julian drove me to the hospital. When he pushed open the door to Dianas room, I was genuinely shocked.
The woman in the bed looked like a shadow of her former self. She was so thin.
Ellie, youre back, she said, offering a weak smile.
My guilt hit its peak. I walked over, patted her shoulder, and slipped a thick envelope Id prepared for her into her hand.
You silly girl, why didnt you tell me you were sick?
Just focus on getting better. Anything youre craving, you let me know.
Diana grinned. Youre the best, Ellie.
Seeing how her hospital gown hung off her frail frame, I felt a fresh wave of shame for my suspicions the night before. A size Small would probably be loose on her now.
I finally let out a breath I didnt realize Id been holding.
Just then, Julians phone rang. He stepped into the hallway to answer it. I faintly heard him say, Got it, Ill handle it right away, before he hung up.
Who was that? I asked casually. Trouble at the office?
Julian came back in, gathering his things. My new assistant. Just a small work thing.
Something inside me clenched.
I remembered Julians assistant. A steady, middle-aged man. But the voice Id just overheard on the phone was clearly that of a young woman.
My heart was in my throat again, but I kept my face neutral.
You got a new assistant? I thought Mark was doing a great job.
Oh, right. You know how the company is launching a womenswear line, Julian explained, his tone completely natural. I thought it would be a good idea to hire a female assistant. She used to be a model, so she knows the market.
You were away last month, and then Diana got sick. She stepped in to help, and shes been great for trying on the samples.
He finished with a playful smirk. What, are you jealous? If youre not happy about it, Ill let her go right now.
Hed put me on the spot. If I pushed any further, Id look petty and insecure.
No, of course not, I said, waving a hand dismissively. Its for work. I get it.
But even as I said the words, the thorn of suspicion lodged itself deeper in my heart.
That afternoon, I made an excuse to visit Julians company, using my position as an investor to conduct a site visit.
The moment I walked into the design department, I saw her. The new assistant. Young, beautiful, tall, and radiating a vibrant, youthful energy.
A few of the senior staff saw me and greeted me warmly. Ms. Vance, what a nice surprise!
I smiled and nodded, making small talk. Hows everything going lately? I hear youve brought on a new beauty of an assistant for the womenswear line?
One of the lead designers, a woman named Carol, immediately chimed in. Oh yes, Ms. Vance. Jenna is a real gem. Shes been a huge help to Mr. Crawford.
And with a figure like that, shes a walking mannequin, another designer added. Shes been trying on most of the prototypes. Its saved us a ton of time.
Mr. Crawford has a sharp eye, someone else agreed. The efficiency of the new line has shot way up.
Their praise just made the knot in my stomach tighten.
I smiled, walked into Julians office, and placed a small astronaut figurine on his desk. It had a well-hidden camera inside.
Over the next few days, I checked the live feed whenever I had a spare moment.
Everything seemed normal.
Jenna rarely entered Julians private office. Most of their communication was over the internal phone line. On the few occasions she did go in to report on something, she stood formally in front of his desk and was out within five minutes. There was absolutely no inappropriate behavior between them.
For a moment, I was ashamed of myself.
Julian was a powerhouse CEO in public, but at home, he was thoughtful and always kept me in the loop about his schedule. His desk was covered in our wedding photos, with him standing on my left, smiling brightly. He called to check in whenever he had a free second.
Was I really being too suspicious? Too insecure?
But the matter of the blouse still haunted me. Would a designer with such a keen eye for size and detail really make a mistake like that?
As the launch of the new line approached, Julian started working late more and more often, sometimes not getting home until one or two in the morning. He said theyd hit a creative roadblock with the new collection. I told him not to push himself so hard, but he just smiled and said it was fine.
Then, another detail put me on high alert.
The scent of his body wash had changed.
At home, wed always used a cedar-scented one. But for the past few days, hed come home smelling of a sweet, cloying floral fragrance.
When I asked him about it, he was dismissive. They got a new one for the office breakroom. When I work late, I just shower there so I dont wake you up coming home.
The excuse was flawless. But the unease in my gut was growing uncontrollably.
It was another late night. Julian texted to say he might have to pull an all-nighter and that I should go to sleep.
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to rest. On a whim, I opened the camera feed again.
The lights in his office were on, but his chair was empty.
I frowned and scrubbed back through the recording.
Just a few minutes earlier, a figure had flashed past the camera, quickly disappearing into a blind spot in the inner part of the office.
It was only for a split second, but I was certain of one thing: it wasn't Julian.
I shot out of bed, threw on some clothes, and poured the chicken soup Id made into a thermos. Then I grabbed it and ran out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, I was standing in front of his office building. On the entire floor, only his office was lit.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I walked to his office door. It was unlocked.
I pushed it open. The room was empty.
How? I saw her go in!
I searched the design department, the breakroom, the storage closet every single place a person could hide.
Nothing. No one.
Panting, I returned to Julians office.
Suddenly, I heard the faint sound of rustling fabric, mingled with a mans stifled gasp. It seemed to be coming from the corner of the room.
I tiptoed over, my footsteps silent. As I got closer, I saw a thin crack of light peeking from between a partition and the wall.
A rush of blood went to my head. I yanked the partition away with all my strength.
Julian! What are you two doing?! I screamed.
Behind the partition was a small space, like a walk-in closet. Julian was standing there, staring at me in shock, his hand clutching the arm of a mannequin.
There was no one else in the space.
He looked at my furious expression, completely bewildered. Ellie? What are you doing here?
I was past the point of reason. I started tearing through the small space, frantically searching.
Julian finally snapped. Eleanor, what the hell is wrong with you?!
Still finding no one, I pulled out my phone, played the video from the camera, and shoved it in his face. Where is she? Where did you hide her?!
Julians eyes fell on the screen, and his face instantly darkened with rage.
Youre spying on me?
I was so fixated on the mysterious figure that I barely registered his reaction. I asked you, where is the woman!
Woman? Julian let out a scornful laugh and pointed to a female mannequin. You mean her?
He walked over to it and positioned it in roughly the same pose as the figure in the video.
I was just adjusting its silhouette. I had to move it around to get the right angle.
I froze.
The outline of the mannequin it did seem to match the silhouette from the video.
Could it be? Had I really been wrong about him?
My rational mind slowly began to resurface, and a chill spread through my limbs. I had doubted him, spied on him, and now Id stormed in here, accusing him like a madwoman.
I Im sorry I pressed my forehead into my hand, my voice dry and hoarse.
Julian stood with his back to me, his shoulders rigid. After a long silence, he finally turned around. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly exhausted.
Its okay, he said softly. I know Ive been working late a lot, neglecting you. Its normal that your mind would run wild.
I was stunned. He was apologizing to me.
Its my fault. I shouldnt have brought my work stress home. I made you feel insecure. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight, his chin resting on the top of my head. Its true, we havent really talked in a long time.
Why dont you go home, take a shower, and wait for me? Ill clean this up and be right home, okay?
His tenderness, his understanding, made my guilt crest into a tidal wave. What more could I say? I nodded and went home.
But as I sat in the living room, I couldnt shake the feeling that something was still wrong. The thorn of suspicion hadn't been removed; it felt like it had just been pushed in deeper.
I took out my phone and watched the video clip over and over. Once, twice, ten times, twenty times
I slowed the playback speed to 0.5x, my eyes glued to the screen.
And in one fleeting frame, I finally saw it. I saw what was wrong.
Julian was definitely lying to me.

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