Chapter 3 .

Right in front of my eyes were pictures of my husband with another woman. It was the lady at the party. The pictures captured them in very intimate positions, they were even completely naked in one of the pictures.

I literally forgot how to breathe as I stared at the pictures. My heart felt like it was being torn apart, I felt like I was dying from a thousand cuts.

The pictures fell from my hand as I collapsed into the bed. I didn't know when tears began pouring from my eyes. I clutched my chest and shut my eyes.

So this was it. Mike had been cheating on me all this while. The late night meetings, the midnight calls and smiling while on his phone, he had someone else all along. This was why he never said he loved me after every sex, this was why he barely spend any time with me. It was the reason he always tossed me to the side and only remembered me when he was hard.

God! It hurts. It was right in front of me, how didn't I notice it? I was so stupid. So this is what I get? After going against my family and friends and getting married to Mike Carson and devoting over two years of my life to him, without complain, even when he made me feel less of myself, even when the loneliness was creeping up on me, I kept it all to myself and loved him with everything I had and this is what I get.

Crying did very little to reduce the pain I was feeling. I have never been so hurt in my entire life. One of the pictures was flipped over on the bed and on it was handwritten note. It read,

I didn't know he was married!

I picked up the rest of the pictures and there were more notes on it.

We've been together for 6 months, he never told me he had a wife.

6 fucking months! Mike has been cheating on me for six months!

I am so sorry. I feel so stupid right now.

Would it even compare to the way I feel?

He said he loved me, he said he was going to marry me. I didn't know, I swear I didn't know. I hate myself so much right now.

Was I supposed to feel bad for her? No! Not when the feeling of sympathy for myself had overwhelmed my heart.

I am never going to see him again. I don't want to ruin your marriage, I am so sorry. You'll never have to see me again, I promise.

I chuckled painfully. She's a good woman but the marriage is far ruined. I've held on for too long and I won't stay after this.

I don't even know what to do. A fresh batch of tears began falling, I pulled my knees to myself and hugged them.

Crying won't solve anything for me but I can't help it. What am I supposed to do right now?

Hours past and darkness covered the room. I didn't bother to turn on the lights as the darkness gave me some sort of comfort.

I heard staggering footsteps climb up the stairs and Mike stumbled into the room. He didn't see me, if he did, he didn't say a word. He flopped into the bed and soon he was snoring loudly.

My heart was aching, more than ever before. I couldn't stop crying. Breathing was hard as I struggled to be as quiet as possible.

At this point, I made up my mind. This marriage is as good as over. I can't stay after this.

Quietly, I picked up my phone and opened it. I searched up a contact and on finding it, I opened up a text.

Joan, Mike is cheating on me.

Joan was my best friend. We've been friends for years but currently, our friendship became strained when she moved to Hawaii. I've been invited over a couple of times but Mike would never let me. Now is the perfect opportunity to leave.

Luckily, she replied immediately.

What? That bastard!

I'm so sorry Jessica. What are you going to do now?

It took me a minute to rethink my decision and to tell myself that I was doing the right thing.

I want to leave. I can't stay.

Is the invitation to join you in Hawaii still open?

Yes! You're in luck, my older brother is coming over. He's leaving early tomorrow morning. I'll message him but you have to leave now.

Waves of gratitude flooded my chest.

Thank you Joan!

Anytime Jess.

I'm really sorry about Mike.

I'll see you tomorrow.

I chose not to think of anything else as I found my way to the closet. I hurriedly packed up my things into a suitcase. I was too disorganized to even arrange anything properly. I tossed everything in and zipped it close.

I was a bit noisy but the sound of Mike's snore covered it up. I snatched the car key from where it was and walked to the door. I stopped and looked back at him. My heart was heavy. Tears began pouring again and I painfully wiped them off.

Mike is not worth my tears. Not after I gave him my all and he still went ahead to have an affair with another woman without even thinking of how I'd feel. I should have listened to my family and friends about him.

Staring at his lanky figure lying languidly on the bed stirred up intense anger within me. With the way I was feeling, I could drive a knife through him without thinking twice and not regret it. So to avoid that, I pulled up my suitcase and walked out of the room, and out of the house.

Once outside, I tossed the suitcase into the car and got in. Igniting the engine, I sped off.

And I didn't look back, not even once.