Who’s Using My Stuff? Chapter 1

My husband and I turned the entire house upside down looking for that new little toy we’d bought.

It was nowhere to be found.

My live stream was about to start, so I had to give up and head to my studio.

But no sooner had I walked through the door than my phone buzzed with a notification from the toy’s app: 【Rolling Heatwave Mode has been activated.】

Did Ethan find it? I wondered.

I shot him a video call, but he was still half-asleep, mumbling drowsily from our bed.

I was too embarrassed to ask, so I just told myself it was probably a glitch with the toy.

Shaking it off, I started my stream.

But right when I was deep in a chat with my followers, my phone lit up again. Same app. 【Passion Burst Mode has been activated.】

My mind went into overdrive.

I was here. My husband was asleep at home.

So who was it? Who was using my things?!

* * *

A chill shot up my spine. My phone buzzed one last time: 【Your ‘Wicked Wanda’ is operating at high intensity. Battery level is critical at 7%.】

My mind flashed through all the blush-worthy pre-set modes. Was this a system bug, or…

I ended the stream right then and there, floored the gas, and raced home.

Was I really about to become the subject of the kind of gossip I usually just read about online?

I burst into the bedroom. It was pitch black, and Ethan was still snoring peacefully.

I immediately checked the entry log on our smart lock.

No one had entered or left. My frayed nerves eased slightly.

On the drive home, I’d already decided: if he had cheated on me, I’d kick him out on the spot. I calmed myself down and checked the toy’s app again. It showed the device was active within a six-foot radius of my phone.

Six feet?!

But I searched every inch of that area and found nothing.

And there was no sign of anyone else having been in the house.

I was so frustrated I wanted to smash my phone.

I couldn’t sleep all night. The toy had been active just moments ago, so how could it have just vanished into thin air?

The incident left me deeply unsettled.

A few days later, I decided to surprise Ethan by coming home during my usual streaming time. He wasn't there.

I video-called him. He rejected it.

A moment later, a text came through.

【Almost home, babe. I have a surprise for you.】

Sitting in the living room, my mind couldn't help but replay that strange night. Anger simmered in my gut. When he got here, I was going to demand some answers.

He walked in, saw me on the couch, and wrapped his arms around me.

“Babe, what are you doing home so early?”

I didn’t return the hug. “Where were you?” I asked, my voice flat.

He chuckled and pulled a small card from his pocket with a flourish.

“Surprise, honey! Happy?”

In his hand was an autographed photo of my all-time favorite basketball player, Jaden Cross.

I’d been so busy lately that I’d completely forgotten his team was in town for an exhibition game. I’d also forgotten it was my birthday.

Seeing the signature, most of my anger melted away. I couldn't believe he'd gone all the way to the game just for this.

The tension broke, and my eyes instantly welled up with tears. I felt a pang of guilt for ever doubting him.

I hugged him tightly, apologizing for my cold attitude.

He stroked my hair. “A husband should always be there for his wife, support her career, and even stand in line for autographs for her.”

A wave of pure joy washed over me. How could a man who loved me this much ever betray me?