Sixteen Retreats and the Secret in a Photo

Company policy. No spouses allowed.

The lie. The mantra. Hed been saying it for eight years.

Eight years, sixteen corporate retreats, and I had been left behind every single time.

Today, while sifting through a box of old photos, I stumbled upon a group picture from their companys retreat last year.

Several couples were smiling brightly in the front row.

I recognized his coworker, MarkMarks wife was standing right beside him. And there was Dan from Sales, with his wife, too.

My husband, Trevor, was standing in the second row.

Beside him, stood a woman in a white, knee-length dress.

I used to own an identical dress. I'd thrown it out three years ago.

1.

I stared at the photograph for a long time.

White, floral print, cinched waist, falling just above the knee.

I bought it at a mall boutique three years ago for $99.

I only wore it once, to my mothers birthday dinner.

Then it disappeared.

I asked Trevor about it. He said the cleaning service must have accidentally tossed it.

I believed him.

Now, that same dress was on another woman, standing right next to him.

I zoomed in on the photo, desperate to see her face.

The pixelation was too poor, offering only a blurred outline: long hair, slender frame, not very tall.

Her hand was resting lightly on Trevors arm.

The gesture was natural, easylike muscle memory.

I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.

The door opened. Trevor was home.

Back already? I put my phone down, face up on the cushion. Long day at the office?

Mhm. Finalizing the West Coast project. He kicked off his shoes. Did you eat?

I did.

I watched him walk into the bathroom to wash his hands, his movements the same as theyd been for eight years. Familiar.

The company retreat is next month, I said. Lake Haven Resort, right?

His movements stalled.

Oh?

I saw it on Lisa Kwans postMarks wife. She sounded excited.

Trevor turned off the faucet and dried his hands.

Thats the Sales Department retreat. Tech isnt necessarily going to that one.

But dont Sales and Tech usually go together?

It depends on the year. He walked out, his expression neutral. Management hasnt finalized the venue yet.

I nodded, letting it drop.

He went into his study, saying he needed to hop back on the computer to wrap up some emails.

I sat on the sofa and pulled up the photo again.

It was taken in front of a grand resort entrance, a sprawling lawn in the background.

I recognized the place.

Two years ago, after his retreat, I asked him where hed been.

He said it was just some dull, rustic B&Bnothing special.

The photo clearly showed something far from rustic.

I opened my browser and searched the place.

Four stars. Dinner service runs about 0-050 a head.

Some dull, rustic B&B. Right.

My phone rang. It was my mother.

Have you eaten, Nat?

Yes, Mom.

Is Trevor home?

In his study, working late.

Tell him not to overdo it. Look after his health.

I know.

After hanging up, I walked to the study door.

It was slightly ajar. Trevor was on the phone.

...Dont worry about next month. Ill handle everything.

His voice was low, carefulas if he didn't want to be overheard.

Alright. Talk soon.

He hung up.

I knocked.

Come in.

I pushed the door open. Who was that?

A client. His eyes remained glued to the monitor. Its about the project rollout.

Youre still talking projects this late?

Yeah, overseas client. Time difference.

I didn't press him further.

Back in the living room, I saved the retreat photo to my phones camera roll.

Later, as we lay in bed, he automatically pulled me close, his arm draped across my waist.

Are you feeling okay lately? he asked.

Fine.

The retreat next monthit might be three or four days.

Mhm.

Youll be okay by yourself?

Ill be fine.

He kissed my forehead. Go to sleep.

I closed my eyes, listening until his breathing settled into the slow, steady rhythm of deep sleep.

Eight years.

Eight years, sixteen retreats.

Every single time, hed told me it was company policy: No spouses allowed.

Every single time, I had believed him.

But in that photograph, every other mans wife was there.

Only mine wasnt.

I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling.

His hand was still on my hip, warm and familiar.

Yet suddenly, that hand felt utterly foreign.

2.

The next day was Saturday.

Trevor said he had to go into the office for half a day to take care of some urgent paperwork.

Will you be back for lunch?

Should be.

I watched him leave, then I went straight to my computer.

I navigated to his companys corporate website and clicked the Employee Events tab.

It was a gallery of photos: retreats, holiday parties, anniversary dinners.

I went through them, year by year.

2016 Retreat: Miami.

Trevor was in the photo. Standing beside him was a woman.

Not me.

2017 Retreat: The Rockies.

Trevor was there. Standing beside him was the exact same woman.

Still not me.

2018 Retreat: San Diego.

The same woman.

2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

Every year, every single photo, she was there.

She wore different outfits, changed her hairstyle, but her features were the same: a delicate, oval face, single eyelids, and a small dimple when she smiled.

I didnt know her. I had never seen her.

Yet she had been standing beside my husband for eight years.

My hands started to tremble.

I saved every single one of those photographs.

When I was done, I picked up Trevors phone.

He never used a password. He always said, We dont need secrets, Nat.

I found a contact named Veronica C. and opened their message thread.

The latest message was from 11:00 PM last night.

Trevor: Did you get home okay?

Veronica: I did. Thanks for today.

Trevor: Get some rest.

Veronica: [Kiss emoji]

I scrolled up.

The day before.

Veronica: Did you book the hotel for the retreat next month?

Trevor: Yes, The Intercontinental at Lake Haven.

Veronica: The same suite as last year?

Trevor: Mhm. Lake view.

Veronica: *Cant wait ~*

A searing knot tightened in my stomach.

I kept scrolling.

One month ago.

Trevor: Wear the blue dress for the client dinner.

Veronica: Okay! Are you wearing a tie?

Trevor: The one you gave me.

Veronica: Our matching one! Make sure no one notices.

Trevor: Who cares if they notice.

Three months ago.

Veronica: Did your wife ask where you were going again?

Trevor: No. She never asks.

Veronica: Shes so easy to fool.

Trevor: Shes not easy to fool, she just trusts me.

Veronica: Then you should be better to her.

Trevor: I know.

Six months ago.

Veronica: What should I wear for the holiday party this year?

Trevor: You look good in anything.

Veronica: Your wife wont be there, right?

Trevor: No. She never is.

Veronica: Perfect. I can dress up then.

Trevor: Whatever you want.

A year ago.

Veronica: Can I post the photos from the Maldives?

Trevor: Sure, just block Nat.

The Maldives.

A year ago.

I remembered.

A year ago, I was three months postpartum.

That was the time he said the company retreat was mandatory and that the dates were inflexible.

I was home alone with a newborn. He was in the Maldives.

With her.

I put the phone down, struggling to draw a full breath.

The front door opened.

Trevor was back.

Whats wrong? He saw my face. You look terrible.

I just stared at him.

I had looked at this face for eight years. I woke up next to it, and I went to sleep next to it.

I thought I knew everything about him.

Now I realized I knew nothing at all.

Nothing, I managed, standing up. Ill start on lunch.

Ill do it. You go rest. He rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen.

I stood there, watching his back.

That back was familiar, too.

But what did familiarity matter?

She was just as familiar with that back.

Maybe more so.

3.

On Monday, I took a personal day.

I went to Trevors office building.

Not to see him, but to see Lisa Kwan, who worked in HR.

Lisa was my high school friend. Shed been at Trevors company for five years.

Well, this is a surprise, Lisa said, genuinely shocked.

I was in the neighborhood. Wanted to grab a coffee.

We walked to a nearby cafe.

Does Trevor know youre here?

No. I thought Id surprise him later.

Lisa smiled. You two are so sweet.

I forced a smile in return.

So, I said, trying to sound casual, I was thinking of coming along for the next company retreat. Are spouses allowed?

Lisa paused.

Spouses? Of course they are.

Oh. Trevor always told me company policy was strictly no family.

Lisas face changed. It was subtle, but I saw it.

No, thats not right. Weve always allowed spouses at the retreats. The company even covers half the cost.

My heart stopped for a beat.

Always?

Since I started, yes. You didnt know that?

Trevor said

I couldnt finish the sentence.

Lisa saw the look on my face. She reached across the table and took my hand.

Nat, whats going on? Is something wrong with you and Trevor?

No. I shook my head. Maybe I misunderstood.

Dont lie to me. Lisa lowered her voice. Tell me. Has Trevor been

I looked at her, silent.

She sighed.

The truth is Ive wanted to tell you for a while, but I didnt want to interfere.

Tell me what?

Trevor brings a woman to every single event.

My hand began to tremble.

We all assumed it was you. His wife. But then one time, I saw her name tag. It said, Veronica Crystal.