NoahI pressed hard on the gas, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I couldn’t stop the flood of anxious thoughts. Please, mom, please don’t scare me. I can’t handle another tragedy, not now, not after everything. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter as I raced toward my mother’s house, the world outside a blur of trees and pavement. Neil’s voice on the phone kept playing in my head: Grandma looks a little green, but she doesn’t want me to tell you.I pulled into the driveway, barely taking time to turn off the engine before I dashed inside. The front door swung open with a loud creak, and I called out, panic making my voice crack. “Mom? Where are you?”No answer.Oh God, please be okay. My feet carried me quickly through the house, every second stretching out, my imagination conjuring the worst scenarios. I pictured her lying on the floor, unconscious. Or worse.I threw open the bedroom door, my breath catching in my throat. There she was, lying on the bed, with Neil
NoahThis wasn’t the first time I received photos of Owen cheating on me. The blonde hair and slender build of the woman kissing him reminded me of my best friend Josie. Could it be…? No, she would never do that to me! With trembling fingers, I dropped my phone. How could my husband cheat on me?! I thought I was the most important person in his life.After 7 horrible years at the orphanage, I was adopted by Owen’s family. I saved Owen's life when we were young. His family was so grateful that they took me in. How could Owen betray me after everything we went through?! We grew up together and were always inseparable. We fell in love and got married when we were 22 years old. I can’t believe that was almost 3 years ago now.But Owen had been acting very strange lately. These photos seemed to explain why… I had to confront him. “Owen?” I called out. “Owen, where are you?” He didn't answer. He must be upstairs.I walked up the stairs and heard him talking to his friend Simon on the pho
NoahMy heart sank when Owen picked up the phone. The screen clearly said “Josie”. He answered: “Hello? Yes, of course, sir. I can take a look at those documents for you.”I couldn't believe Owen was lying to my face. He glanced at me, then quickly walked over to the kitchen.When he thought I couldn't hear him, his voice softened. He sounded so sweet. Although I couldn’t hear his words, the way he spoke to Josie reminded me of the beginning of our romance.Owen was still trying to hide his betrayal from me. He must have forgotten that he gave away his secret last night, when he called me Josie. Those pictures on my phone left no doubt. He was cheating on me, with my best friend.I leaned up against the wall. I felt weakened by my fever and this emotional rollercoaster. I stared at my husband as he came back inside the living room. He avoided my eyes.It felt as if he had become a stranger. In the past, he would’ve never let me suffer like this.“I’ll pick you up later.” Owen said, re
NoahRaymond quickly let go of me as Owen approached us. Just before taking a step back.I stumbled over to my husband. I wanted to lean on him for support, but he didn’t seem to care about me at all. All I could read on his face was anger. I tried to be strong and stand by myself, shivering with fever.“So, you’ve got a new love, huh? I saw you flirting with my uncle!” Owen spat his angry words at me. I turned pale. How could he say this to me? Especially after what he had done? I wasn’t the one who couldn’t be trusted!“Owen! How dare you talk to her like that! It’s not our family’s manner!” Raymond berated him. He was fuming with rage at the injustice. He also knew about Owen's betrayal.Owen was a little timid when Raymond got angry. Although Raymond was only 31 years old, he had become a successful CEO. He had idolized Raymond when he was a child. And now, Raymond was also his boss. Owen had recently started working at his company.Raymond’s fists were clenched and his tense musc
NoahI just couldn’t accept it. I loved him so much. How could he cheat on me?“Why, Owen? I thought we loved each other. I thought we would be together forever. Did I do something wrong?” I cried.Owen didn’t respond. He drove us home in silence. His cruelty was too much for me to bear. I stared at the raindrops on the window. I felt more depressed than ever.That afternoon, Owen left again. I tried having some food and a nap, hoping that would help me heal. But I just couldn't fall asleep until Owen came back home in the early evening.I had to talk to him. I got out of bed and met him at the top of the stairs. “Owen, we need to talk about what happened. You can’t keep going out and avoiding me.”He was obviously drunk again. All he said was, “I don’t have anything to say to you. I am moving out, Noah. I supposed our years of marriage is a mistake!”I took his hands in mine and begged him to stay and try to work it out. But he shook off my hands and pushed me away.I was standing ri
NoahI couldn’t believe my eyes! While I was leaving, my husband was screwing with my best friend in my room! Didn’t he remember I got hurt because of him?! How ridiculous!Even though I had seen Owen and Josie’s betrayal before in photos, witnessing it in real life was way worse. It felt like a million knives stabbed me in the chest. My heart shattered.“How dare you cheat on me in our home! In our own bed, for God’s sake!” I cried out.They hadn’t heard me open the bedroom door over the romantic music that was playing. They turned around with shocked looks on their faces. If I wasn’t so devastated, it might’ve been funny.Owen's mouth had lipstick smears all over it, and Josie’s blonde hair was disheveled. They were both in their underwear. Clothes were spread out all over our bedroom floor. I tried to hold back my tears. I didn't want to show them my pain. My crying might come across as weakness. I demanded an explanation.“I don’t believe this. Owen! Did you forget I am your wife
Noah“What?! What guys? I just woke up, Owen. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I replied to the angry voice on the phone.“More lies! I can’t believe you, Noah. You're despicable!” Owen shouted. He was so loud, I had to move the phone away from my ear.“Owen, please calm down. All I remember is you leaving with Josie last night. I fell asleep on the couch. What happened?”“Josie is in the hospital because of you. I demand that you come here right now and apologize to her!”He ended the call before I could reply. What was this about? Would my life ever go back to normal? I decided to find out what was going on.My fever was over. Although my head still hurt, the wound was healing rapidly. I took a refreshing shower and got into a pencil skirt and light blue blouse. I combed my hair and decided to wear it in natural loose waves today.After a quick breakfast, I slipped into my high heels and coat, and made my way to my car. It was a crisp sunny day.I arrived at the hospital.
NoahOwen and I signed the divorce papers. That was that. Three years of marriage, gone.After signing the papers, Owen returned to the hospital to look after Josie. Meanwhile, I started packing up my things.Although we had multiple properties, I felt sad about leaving our beautiful villa. But I couldn’t stay here anymore. The love that once filled this home was gone now. I decided to move to our penthouse. I always loved that place. It had a large south facing terrace overlooking the river, in a quiet part of town.The next morning, I arrived at my new place. The moving company had just finished carrying all my boxes in, when I got a phone call.It was an unknown number. Curious, I answered the phone:“Hello, Noah speaking.”“Hello, are you Lisa Smith’s family member? You need to come to the police station. She was arrested.” The police officer said.His words shocked me. Lisa was the housekeeper who took care of me and Owen when we were kids. She was one of the kindest ladies I kne