CHAPTER SIX - LIES STACKED LIKE DOMINOES

Emma sat at the kitchen table, her laptop open before her. The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on her troubled face. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she might find. With trembling fingers, she logged into their shared credit card account. The page loaded, revealing a list of recent transactions. Emma's eyes scanned the entries, her heart pounding. "Okay, Emma," she whispered to herself. "Just stay calm and look for anything unusual." As she scrolled through the statement, certain charges stood out. A $200 dinner at an upscale restaurant she didn't recognize. A hefty bar tab from a night Marcus claimed he was working late. And there it was - a charge from the Harbor View Hotel. Emma's breath caught in her throat. She clicked on the transaction for more details, revealing the date. It matched perfectly with the day Marcus said he had a client meeting across town. "No," Emma murmured, shaking her head. "There has to be an explanation