As the evening wore on, Emily found herself retreating into her thoughts, trying to piece together any signs she might have overlooked. Had there been subtle hints that she had dismissed? Perhaps the extra time John had been spending at the gym, his sudden interest in health and fitness, or the way Rachel always seemed to be present at their gatherings, was indicative of something more significant.

Despite her attempts to brush off Sophie’s comment, Emily’s mind kept wandering back to it. How did Sophie know about Rachel’s presence in their bedroom? Children often had a way of observing the world without the filters that adults developed, and Emily couldn’t ignore the possibility that her daughter had unknowingly uncovered something.