The Sixth Key Was With Her Ex

I didn't say anything. I just stared at the storage bin all the way in the back, under the bed.

It was a clear plastic bin, filled with off-season bedding. But tucked into the folds of the white silk comforter was the corner of some black fabric.

A man's dress pants leg.

He'd climbed into the biggest storage bin.

This old-style bed had a lot of space underneath. If the bin was deliberately left slightly open, hiding a grown man for half an hour wouldn't be a problem at all.

I stood up. Instead of exposing him right away, I nodded along with what Jessica had said.

"Maybe you're right. I've been working too much lately. I'm sorry, babe. I was being too sensitive.

"To make it up to you, I'll cook tonight. Honey, can you boil some water for me?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the bed skirt trembling slightly. I laughed to myself.

'Kyle, if you want to play hide-and-seek, I'll raise the stakes.'

Jessica clearly didn't want me staying in the house.

She grabbed my hand. "Honey, you've had a long day. Let's just go out to eat."

I looked at the desperation on her face, smiled, and casually sat down on the edge of the bed.

I clearly felt the mattress shift slightly.

The person inside the bin had probably adjusted their weight without thinking because of the uneven pressure.

"Going out is such a hassle. We already have food at home. Actually, babe — I'd love a cup of your signature homemade tea."

As I spoke, I leaned back heavily against the bed, putting half my body weight directly over the bin where Kyle was hiding.

Jessica clenched her jaw and took a deep breath. "Fine. Then go outside. The bedroom's a mess. I need to clean up."

"No need to clean. I'll just rest here."

I reached over to the nightstand and pulled out a small folding utility knife.

"Wh-why are you taking a knife?"

I savored the guilt written all over her face and said casually, "Got a hangnail. Need to trim it."

I fiddled with the blade, but my eyes stayed locked on the bed skirt touching the floor.

"I remember that bin has last year's silk comforter in it. I feel like there's a weird smell in here. Maybe the blanket's molding. We should take it out to air."

With that, I made a move to bend down and pull out the storage bin.

"Don't!" Jessica shrieked. "That's silk! You can't just put it in the sun. Mark, what is wrong with you today?"

I stopped and stared into her eyes.

"Honey, why are you sweating so much? Is it hot in here?"

She didn't answer. She just stood in front of me, frozen.

Seeing that, I still didn't let it go. I walked in with the electric kettle full of boiling water.

"If we can't air it out, then I'll pour hot water over the bed frame. Maybe that'll get rid of the dampness."

Jessica completely panicked.

"Don't!"

But it was too late.

The boiling water splashed over her hand. Her pale skin turned bright red in an instant.

Jessica yelped in pain and pulled her hand back.

The next second, I poured the entire kettle of boiling water directly onto the bed frame.

Steaming hot water ran down the frame and onto the storage bin.

Just then, a dull scraping sound came from inside the bin.

Then the bed skirt that had been trembling all along flew open.

A disheveled figure came crawling and scrambling out from under the bed.

"Mark, you're insane! I'm done playing!"