Blurb：
When I returned from a six-month work assignment, I never expected to find my pet hamster dead. Deciding to preserve it as a specimen, I made a horrifying discovery during the dissection: its lungs were completely black from prolonged secondhand smoke exposure. But my wife Lily Evans and I don't smoke. Who had been living in our home? The replaced wallpaper confirmed my suspicions - someone had been smoking inside for months. Lily's perfect alibi and romantic dinner at my favorite restaurant couldn't hide the truth. When I reached for her hand and she flinched away, I knew the relationship advice forum was right. The security guard might have answers, but would I want to hear them? This psychological thriller explores marriage, trust, and the dark secrets hidden behind replaced wallpaper and blackened hamster lungs.Content：
After six months away on a work assignment, I came home to find my pet hamster dead.I couldn't just bury it. I decided to preserve it, make a specimen so it would always keep its cute, round shape.
But as I carefully began the dissection, I froze.
The hamster's lungs were completely black.
That wasn't a short-term discoloration; it was the result of prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke.
But my wife and I never smoked.
For the past six months, who had been living in my home?
1
I didn't *want* to suspect my wife, Lily Evans.
I knew that trust was the bedrock of any marriage.
That’s why we never installed surveillance cameras, and we certainly never checked each other’s phones.
But perhaps I’d overestimated people.
I scoured every corner of the room, finding no trace of smoking.
No lighters, no ashtrays, nothing.
Was I wrong about her?
Was the hamster just sick?
But then, my gaze fell on the wallpaper.
I remembered it clearly: behind the sofa, there was a small ballpoint pen mark where I’d accidentally scuffed it.
Now, it was gone.
The wallpaper had been replaced.
*That’s it!* If someone had been smoking in the room for an extended period, the wallpaper would undoubtedly be yellowed.
Lily had thought of that and replaced it before I returned.
I called her.
She answered quickly, her voice sweet and gentle:
"Honey, what’s up?"
"Why was the wallpaper in the living room changed?"
I tried to sound casual.
"Oh, that."
She chuckled.
"New wallpaper, new mood, you know? You've been gone for six months; the house needed a fresh look."
Her tone was perfectly natural, utterly devoid of guilt.
"Oh, right, I booked a table at your favorite restaurant for tonight to welcome you home. Make sure you dress to impress!"
I hung up, my mind reeling. After much thought, I posted on a relationship advice forum:
**[Away for six months, came home to find my hamster dead, lungs totally black. My wife and I don't smoke. Should I suspect her of cheating?]**
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