He wanted to see her face.
He wanted her to open the door.
He wanted that moment.
He waited.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
A few seconds later, he heard footsteps.
Not Lily.
Not Emma.
Someone heavier.
Michael frowned.
The lock turned.
The door opened.
And the world he had imagined for two years disappeared in one second.
Emma stood there.
But she was not alone.
Her hands were around another man's shoulders.
A man Michael had never seen before.
He was tall.
White.
Maybe late thirties.
Dark hair.
A simple gray shirt.
He looked comfortable.
Too comfortable.
But that was not what destroyed Michael.
The kiss did.
Emma was kissing him.
Not a quick goodbye.
Not an accidental moment.
A real kiss.
A kiss between two people who knew each other.
A kiss between two people who had done this before.
Michael stopped moving.
The gift bag slipped from his fingers.
It hit the porch floor.
The sound broke them apart.
Emma looked up.
Her face changed instantly.
Shock.
Fear.
Guilt.
All at once.
"Michael."
His name came out like a whisper.
He stared at her.
He had imagined hearing her voice a thousand times.
He never imagined it would sound afraid.
The man stepped back.
Emma turned pale.
Michael looked from her to him.
Then back.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Finally, Michael asked:
"Who is he?"
Emma opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Michael nodded slowly.
That silence answered more than words.
The man looked uncomfortable.
"My name is Daniel."
Michael looked at him.
"I didn't ask your name."
Daniel stopped.
Emma wiped her face.