My Husband's Betrayal

Hannah

I thought my life was perfect, and my marriage was happy. Every woman must be happy when they have a good, caring, and handsome husband. And our marriage was blessed with an intelligent and handsome son. I felt proud and blessed to be his mother. Without realizing it, small cracks had appeared in our marriage long ago.

One day, an event tickled my intuition as a wife who had been dulled because I thought everything was fine and perfect. Afterward, lie after lie opened my eyes wider until I felt that true love was just a brag and no longer existed in this world.

The saying goes one lie will be followed by another lie.

And I witnessed with my own eyes the disgusting things they did repeatedly and not only that, another fact that was no less shocking almost killed me. I couldn't figure out how a man I had known for ten years could commit such a heinous act.

Was love easy to fade and disappear as pollen in the wind?

Disappointment and heartbreak sank me to the lowest point in my life. I felt like my world had been turned upside down a hundred and eighty degrees. The man I love had the heart to destroy a world that was perfectly intertwined.

I hated them so much that there was no room in my heart to forgive the betrayal they had committed for years, which they had neatly covered up.

I have been married to Jason Howard for seven years. We have a handsome son named Jensen Howard. Since becoming pregnant with Jensen, I stopped working for a well-known jewelry company in Riverford.

Jason was delighted with my decision because he was promoted to General Manager of a well-known car company in Riverford. He assured me that everything would be fine because we lacked nothing financially. Plus, before getting married, Jason had bought a spacious apartment for us to live in as a small family.

We were indeed a happy family at first.

Since Jensen was born, I have devoted my attention only to my husband and child, to where I forgot to take care of myself. I realized this when our family was invited to dinner by a community member in the apartment's neighborhood where we lived.

"Hannah, are you ready?" Jason called out from the living room.

"Give me a few more minutes." He made me panic.

I have finished putting on my makeup. It's just that I was not sure what to wear that night. I chose and tried on many dresses, but none of them felt right. All the dresses were old models. When I looked at my collection of handbags, which are few, it turned out that all the models were outdated, and some were even worn out and damaged.

From there, I realized I was too focused on my family, to the point of forgetting my own needs.

Because time was running out, I chose a black-collared midi gown. The collar was encrusted with Swarovski. Then, I chose a handbag and matching high heels that were also encrusted with Swarovski.

I looked at myself in the mirror and thought my appearance wasn't too bad.

"I am ready," I said to Jason and Jensen, smiling sweetly at both of them.

Arriving in front of them, I tried to ask their opinion about my appearance. "How do I look? Good or bad?"

"You are so beautiful, Mom," Jensen hugged me, and his blue eyes, as beautiful as the ocean, stared into my face until my confidence increased significantly.

"Jensen is right. You are beautiful." Jason planted a kiss on my lips. I cannot describe in words how much I love and adore him. Before Jason declared his love for me, we had been friends for two years. I met him in the economy class. Only the two of us always went out every time the class ended. From there, we got to know each other and became close.

We lived on the fifth floor, while the Turner family, who invited us to dinner at their house, lived on the sixth floor.

After the elevator door opened, we hurried to their apartment. When we got there, Jason pressed the bell twice. Bella Turner's voice was heard from inside, asking us to wait a moment.

A moment later, the door opened. Bella greeted and invited us in. That night was the first time I entered her apartment. I realized it sounded strange considering that we were members of the community who regularly came to every meeting. It's just that I prefer to spend my time at home.

In the dining room, Jason and I sat opposite Bella and Mike Turner, her husband. Meanwhile, Jensen sat opposite Emma. They were both six years old.

I must admit that Bella's cooking was very good, so I was lulled into enjoying all the food on the table until, at one point, something tickled my intuition and feelings. Throughout the dinner, I noticed that Jason often complimented Bella and his eyes kept looking at her. Even though I felt uncomfortable, I still tried to think positively, considering that Jason has a gentle heart and likes to be kind to everyone. However, in the compliments that came out of his mouth, Jason also unconsciously complimented Bella's appearance.

His compliment to Bella's appearance made me realize that all this time I had been too focused on my little family and all the household affairs, to where I had forgotten to pay attention to my body and appearance. Bella's appearance that night looked exquisite. Her body was sexy and her face was radiant, unlike me, who looked unattractive.

After dinner, Jason offered to help bring the dishes to the kitchen and wash them. A few minutes later, Bella went to the kitchen to help Jason. Meanwhile, me, the children and Mike were waiting in the living room.

That night, something urged me to follow her to the kitchen and as my feet stepped on the kitchen, I saw Jason kissing Bella's lips.

Hannah

I stood transfixed there, trying not to believe the sight before my eyes. I hoped that what I saw that night was just a dream and that maybe someone would wake me up soon.

I raised my hand slowly, then pinched my right cheek. It stung and hurt, meaning I wasn't dreaming.

Instantly, it felt like my soul left my body and my world spun a hundred and eighty degrees. The man I love and am very proud of kissed the lips of another woman who was our neighbor in her apartment.

That was crazy. I was sure this wasn't the first time they'd done this. If they dared to do such a crazy thing when me and the woman's husband were in the living room together with their children, it means that they have been professional in doing such disgusting things.

My chest felt tight, my eyes stung, and unfortunately, tears were pressing to come out. But I kept convincing myself that I shouldn't cry because of Jensen. So, it was enough for me to bear this pain alone.

As a woman, of course, I wanted to approach them, curse them both with harsh words that I had rarely spoken before. Or without saying much, I approached Bella, pulled her hair while saying, "Go to hell, bitch! And you, Jason, we're getting a divorce. Never see Jensen again. We hate you!"

But infidelity doesn't happen because of the will of one party, but because of the will of both parties. If I followed my emotions that night, then everything would be over. Many hearts would be broken and two families would be destroyed instantly. However, what I didn't want even more was my son's mental breakdown.

I turned away from there for the sake of the integrity of both families. Besides, I had to make sure of many other things before making the most important decision in my married life.

We were no longer a man, and a woman united in marriage, but there was now a child between us who was the greatest gift for all married couples. And children feel the worst impact of their parents' divorce.

However, the other, much stronger reason is that I don't want my son to feel what I felt in my childhood. I don't want his life to be destroyed and feel different from other children because I know best what it feels like to live in a broken family with divorced parents.

My older brother and I stayed in different homes every week. The first week was at my father's house and the second week was at my mother's apartment. Finally, my father remarried and had a new family. Meanwhile, my mother remained single, so my brother and I settled in my mother's apartment.

I had a kind and wonderful mother. It's just that we never spent much time together, so I don't know what the bonding between a mother and a daughter is like. Because my mother was busy making money to support the three of us because, since my father remarried, he stopped supporting our lives.

My parents' divorce and their busyness with their world completely changed my character. A part of me was broken. I became an introvert and had low self-confidence. Mom only came home when the sun had set, then took a shower, had dinner, went into her room and after that, I saw her fall asleep. And I was the babysitter for her.

It felt tiring to differ from other children. But everything that has happened cannot be changed. And now, my marriage was facing a situation that was almost the same as what happened to my parent's marriage. What I heard at the time was that my father had an affair with his coworker and they had a child after their disgusting act. However, the woman who took my mother's husband won and they are now a happy family.

This made my relationship with my father bad. I have hated him from the beginning until now.

Before returning to the living room, I had to make sure that my face was the same as before, a cheerful face. When I got to the living room, I saw the kids still playing.

"Have they finished washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen?" Mike asked when he saw me again.

I forced my lips to smile happily. I saw Jensen staring at me even though his hands were still holding the Lego he was playing with Emma.

"I don't know because I came back here."

Mike was silent for a moment, seeming to digest my answer. However, after that, he didn't ask me anything else.

"Mom, are you okay?" Jensen asked. I realized I had a sensitive child.

"I am okay, dear. It's just that my head feels dizzy," I replied. Jensen stroked my hand. "Do you want me to call Dad? So, we can go home as soon as possible."

"No need. Wait for your dad to finish washing the dishes." Luckily, Jensen obeyed. I didn't want him to see anything disgusting that would traumatize him for the rest of his life. Mike had offered me a headache reliever, but I refused it because my head wasn't hurting, but my heart was hurting. Very much.

A few moments later, Jason and Bella arrived. Their faces were beaming, full of happiness. Bella kept thanking Jason.

I felt sick and disgusted at the sight of their play-acting.

Suddenly, Jensen approached his father, told him about my illness, and invited him home. I kept watching Jason's face while pretending to rest on the sofa.

Jason approached me and asked how I was. I told him I just wanted to go home. His face didn't change. He still had the face and demeanor of a caring husband who loved his wife very much. Bella had offered me medicine, but Mike had already given her an answer.

The three of us hurried home from there.

After lying on the bed, Jason kissed my lips and forehead as usual while saying, "Good night, love." After that, he turned around and fell asleep soundly, leaving me awake until sunrise.

My mind kept working all night. I felt devastated from childhood to adulthood. And I knew the result of every affair. Therefore, I had to prevent Jensen from becoming like me, even though I might not save my marriage.

Because I would never tolerate an affair.

The next morning, I continued to fulfill my duties as a good wife and mother. Afterward, I hurried away from there and went somewhere.

Hannah

In less than an hour, the car I was driving stopped in front of a building on the edge of Riverford. A few minutes later, I was standing at the door.

After pressing the bell twice, the door opened. A woman with white hair and wrinkles covering most of her face immediately gave me a tight hug as soon as she saw me. Then, she invited me in and told me to sit down at the kitchen table.

I saw the stove on and a pot on top of it. Smoke was billowing out of the pot as it delivered the aroma of the food my mother was cooking.

"Tea or coffee?"

"Tea," I replied.

"Chicken cream soup?" Mom asked as she put a cup of tea on the table. I nodded.

A moment later, Mom put two bowls of soup on the table and then sat down in front of me. She folded her arms and used them to support her chin. I was sure she knew what was going on with me. It was just that she was waiting until I was ready to talk.

After eating a few spoon-full of soup and finishing half a bread, I couldn't hold back the tears that were already in my eyes. As a result, I sobbed in front of her. She didn't ask me anything, just gave me a few tissues. Occasionally, I heard her take a deep breath.

"Sorry," I said.

"It's okay. If you really can't tell me, it's okay. By crying, our feelings at least become lighter, even though the burden remains," she replied.

Her hands, which were also lined with wrinkles, caressed mine. The warmth and affection from her flowed through my whole body and it felt so peaceful, as if I had found a place to lean on.

After calming down enough, I ventured to ask her. "Mom, I have something to ask you about your past. Is that okay?" Mom nodded while putting a spoonful of soup in her mouth.

"When you found out about all the infidelities that Dad and his coworkers committed, what did you do?"

Mom was still putting the cream soup in her mouth. To be honest, I regretted asking her about her bitter past.

"I asked him to choose one of us and you already know the answer," she replied softly. And I decided not to ask her anything else. We continued eating without talking anymore.

When I was about to say goodbye, Mom hugged me tightly, as if reluctant to let me go. I assured her that Jensen and I would spend the weekend with her during the winter break and decorate the Christmas tree with her. She answered nothing, but I felt my T-shirt getting wet.

Before closing the door, I turned and waved at her. "Love you, mom. Bye."

"Hannah, remember one thing. Cheating is a disease. Stay strong for Jensen," Mom said.

Her words made me sob for the second time. I nodded while wiping my wet eyes.

"Come here whenever you need a hug." Then my mom waved at me with a sweet smile.

After waving back, I closed the door and went home feeling a little better, at least now I knew what I had to do.

On the way, I invited April, my friend, to meet me at a coffee shop. When I arrived there, April hadn't arrived yet, so I ordered coffee for myself and sat at a table in front of the barista.

After my coffee arrived, I sat and observed it while pondering. The coffee was like my life. I am the ground coffee, while Jason is the milk. When milk is not added to the ground coffee, the coffee tastes bitter-just like my life.

A few moments later, I heard someone sit down next to me. When I turned around, it wasn't April who came but another person. He smiled when he saw me, and I smiled back.

I saw the barista give him his coffee, and he drank it right away while I still had the coffee in my glass. I didn't think so, but he was paying attention to me.

"It won't taste good if the coffee gets cold before you drink it," he said. His voice sounded a little heavy but warm.

I turned and became so awkward that I couldn't answer anything. Then he said again, "Chris Walker. Sorry to surprise you." He held out his hand to introduce himself. I greeted his outstretched hand while forcing my lips to smile.

"Hannah Fox, I'll have the coffee when my friend arrives later." I knew my answer sounded strange, but he smiled. His blue eyes contrasted with his fair skin and brown hair, and his smile was quite sweet.

"You look sad. I know it's none of my business, but if I may offer some advice, it's best not to wallow in sadness or you will lose the beauty of real life. Hope your problem will be resolved soon. I have to go now. Hope we can meet again someday. Bye." He hurried away from there while continuing to wave at me. His attitude and friendliness were enough to cheer me up that morning.

Not long after, April came. After not seeing her for so long, I wanted to hold her tight for a very long time. And for the umpteenth time, I cried again. She caressed my back try to calm me down.

I explained the problem I was facing. She listened to my story seriously. After finishing telling her everything, I asked for her opinion.

"Find as much evidence of his infidelity as possible so that you can get custody of Jensen. First, change and become financially independent. Second, find evidence of his infidelity. Third, if your marriage is beyond repair, then divorce is the only way."

It felt like a huge rock hit my head when I heard the solution. All this time, I had been too complacent in my role as a wife and mother who dedicated all her time and life to her family, to where I had forgotten that I still had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

I nodded and asked April to help transform me into the new Hannah Fox. April agreed, and she invited me to her boutique.

When I got there, she picked out lots of clothes, shoes, and bags from several shelves and put them in front of me.

"Take off your clothes and try them on," April ordered.