Chapter 3 - Truth

Noah

Raymond 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 muscles were visible through his buttoned up shirt. He looked like he was about to hit Owen.

I didn’t want them to fight over me, so I tried to calm them both down.

“Raymond, it’s okay. Owen will take me in to see a doctor. Thank you for driving me here.” I said gratefully.

‘Please, don’t say anything about Josie’, I tried to tell him mentally through the look in my eyes. He nodded slightly, as if he understood. He relaxed and his eyes softened when he looked at me. 

I turned back to my angry husband. I couldn’t detect any sign of trust in his eyes. I supposed he should be concerned about my health rather than the relationship between me and Raymond.

“Owen, I can explain. I tried to call you, but I was so sick I accidentally dialed Raymond’s number. He brought me to see the doctor. You should be grateful to him. Without him I would still be miserable in bed, all alone.”

Owen grabbed me and said, “Well, I was just on my way to come and get you. Then I saw you get out of uncle Raymond's car and ‘fall’ right into his arms.” He looked at Raymond with an arrogant smirk. “You can go back to your important job now, uncle. I’ll look after my wife.”

Raymond’s eyes were cold, but he respected my wishes. He didn't object. After warning Owen that he’d better take good care of me, he got back in his car and drove off.

Although I was glad I could lean on Owen, something didn't feel right.

I realized I was still wearing his suede jacket. It was so soft and warm, protecting me from the cold autumn wind.

When the doctor dealt with my fever, Owen didn’t want to speak to me, let alone look at me. He was engaging himself in typing on his phone. The doctor told me I shouldn't have waited much longer. My fever was so high I could have fainted.

After getting examined and taking medicine for my fever, Owen drove me home.

We sat next to each other in our car that held many memories. All our road trips and getaways together. Those times were over now.

After an uncomfortable silence, I decided to address the elephant in the room. 

“Owen… What is going on? Do you still love me? Do you still regard me as your wife?” I asked.

“So what? Whose wife do you want to be?” Owen hissed. I couldn't believe how horrible he was to me after what he had done. 

“I know you cheated on me, Owen.” I uttered with pain in my voice. “You’ve been seeing Josie, right?”

Owen stopped the car with a jerk and pulled over. We sat in silence for a while as he processed my words.

“What do you know, Noah?” he pressed, looking me in the eyes at last.

I finally confronted him about all the things that had been weighing heavily on my heart. I explained:

“Someone sent me photos of the two of you together. The first time, they didn't show your face. So I didn’t want to believe it. But in the ones I received yesterday, it was clearly you.

All those nights, when you told me you had to leave town for business... You lied to me. You spent them at a hotel with another woman!

Then, last night, you kissed me and called me Josie. And this morning, I saw it was her calling you. You pretended it was a client.

“Owen, we have grown up together since we were kids. I always thought we knew each other the most and could trust each other. I can’t believe you would cheat me like that!” I cried, “Owen, did you fall in love with another woman... Is she my best friend Josie?!”

His eyes showed a moment of doubt. Then, resolution. His mouth tightened as he clenched his jaw.

Just when I thought he wouldn’t answer, Owen said: “It’s true. I love her. I love Josie.”