Troy and Phoebe Reese Novel My Wife's Birthday Gift

I secretly ordered a delivery of a thousand roses for my wife's birthday, hoping to surprise her.

After the delivery was completed, I got a message from the delivery guy.

[By the way, I tossed the trash by your door on my way out. Didn't expect you to be so kinky. Good for you, man!]

He even sent me a photo.

In the picture was an open trash bag stuffed with shredded pantyhose.

My mind went completely blank.

I was overseas on a business trip. My wife was the only one at home.
Chapter 1
I zoomed in on the pictures the delivery guy sent me. Mixed in with all the scraps of paper were shredded clothes and torn pantyhose.
I lit a cigarette and just stared at my phone, completely stunned.
I didn't snap out of it until the ash burned my finger.
I had been out of the country for a few weeks, and my wife was at home by herself.
Maybe the delivery guy got the wrong apartment?
Feeling a knot in my chest, I opened our chat.
[Hey, man, are you sure that package went to the right place?]
[Yeah! Harborview Estates, Unit 2502. Didn't you guys already sign for it?]
Then, he sent me another photo.
Right away, my blood was about to boil. My brain just shut down like a clock with a broken spring.
In the picture, my wife, Phoebe Reese, was wearing a skimpy black lace nightgown, holding the roses I sent her with a seductive smile on her face.
And behind her was the shadow of a man.
For a second, I couldn't feel anything.
Was Phoebe cheating on me?
Was she so stir-crazy from me being gone that she found someone else?
A hot wave of anger hit me hard.
I gritted my teeth and called Phoebe.
The phone rang forever before she finally picked up.
"Why are you calling so late? What do you need?"
Her breathing sounded uneven, like she had just worked out.
"Phoebe, happy birthday. Did you get the flowers I sent?"
"I got them. You're not even home for my birthday, and you think flowers make it better?"
She sounded irritated.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'll be done with everything the day after tomorrow, and we can celebrate then, okay?"
I tried my best to sound gentle.
"Wh-what? I thought you weren't coming back until the end of the month! Why are you coming back the day after tomorrow?"
Her voice shot up in pitch.
"I rushed everything so I could get home early and see you."
"Hey, you done talking to that clueless guy yet?"
A man's voice came through the phone. It wasn't loud, but I heard every word.
Hearing that made everything click. Phoebe was definitely sleeping with someone else.
"Who was that? Who's in the house with you?"
"N-No one! It's just me. You probably heard the TV. Anyway, I'm busy, so I'm hanging up."
Just like that, she ended the call.
I stared at my screen, my expression shifting nonstop.
I kept replaying that man's voice in my head. It sounded so familiar, but no matter how long I thought about it, I couldn't figure out who it belonged to.

Chapter 2
Early the next morning, I wrapped up everything with my coworker as fast as I could and grabbed the earliest flight home.
I needed to catch those two red-handed.
As soon as I landed, I headed straight for the apartment.
When I knocked, Phoebe clearly thought her secret guy had shown up. She opened the door in a low-cut satin nightdress, smiling, all bright and excited.
The moment she saw it was me, her smile froze.
"Tr-Troy I thought you weren't flying in until tomorrow!"
Phoebe stumbled over her words, as if my showing up early had ruined whatever she had planned.
"I missed you too much, so I switched my ticket. Nice surprise, right?"
Trying not to feel sick, I stepped in and hugged her, resting my chin on her shoulder. My eyes went straight to the candlelit dinner for two set up on the table.
I didn't need to guess who she was planning to share it with.
"Are you hiding a little boyfriend behind my back or something? Candlelight, the outfit Feels like I came home at the worst possible time."
Phoebe instantly pushed at my chest and muttered, "N-No, you've got it all wrong. I was supposed to have a girls' night with a friend, but she suddenly couldn't make it"
"Okay, okay, relax. I was joking." I pinched her nose lightly and smiled. "Anyway, I'm starving. Let's eat."
She nodded, looking like she had finally stopped holding her breath.
I grabbed a fork and shoved a bite of steak into my mouth. It tasted pretty good.