I received an anonymous email.
The man in the video, tangled with a younger woman, was unmistakably my husband.
Eight years together, and people had always said I was his white moonlight, the one he had dreamed of in his youth.
But in a moment of reckless indulgence, he sneered, "Beatrix Zimmerman is dull, boring, and timid. How could she ever compare to you?"
"Besides, I’ve been with her for eight years. I’m tired of her already."
His light and dismissive tone was almost laughable if not for the venom it carried.
It was funny how people forgot the struggles of their climb once they reached the peak, losing what had once left them in awe.
That day, I left without a word, keeping everything calm as though nothing had changed.
Saul Gatlin had no idea that the timid, dull woman he looked down on had a spine of steel.
Her life would never be the same.
***
I received an anonymous email when I moved into the new house.
It was empty except for a compressed video file.
I barely glanced at it, brushing it off as nothing important. Instead, I called Saul, who was out socializing, to remind him not to overindulge.
His voice came through the phone, warm and soothing.
“Wife, you’ve worked hard with the move today. I’ll be back soon, and bring your favorite little cakes.”
I couldn’t help but smile, my heart softening at his words.
For eight years, Saul had been like this: thoughtful, caring, and always attentive.
Everyone knew that Saul, the young and dashing CEO, was a devoted husband.
I hung up, feeling a familiar warmth in my chest, but the tranquility didn’t last long.
A new email appeared in my inbox.
[Don’t you want to take a look? The content is some sensational gossip about CEO Saul.]
I scoffed at the message, feeling nothing but disdain.
For years, Saul had kept his slate spotless. He never allowed even a hint of scandal, and no single woman in his circle could spark a rumor.
People often said I had found a rare gem in Saul, the perfect husband.
And I believed them wholeheartedly.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I clicked on the video.
The screen flickered to life, and there he was, Saul, unmistakable in his sharp suit, holding a young woman in his arms.
My heart froze as I watched him kiss her, their breaths tangling in a way that made my stomach churn.
The girl pouted, her voice sweet and teasing.
“Saul, you visit me five times a week. Doesn’t that mean you like me more than your wife?”
Saul tilted his head, a soft laugh escaping his lips as he looked at her.
“Do you know how long it took me to win her?” he said, his tone carrying a nostalgic warmth. “Three years. It took me three years to make her mine. She’s my white moonlight, the apple of my eye, my precious.”
Each word felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest, but the worst was yet to come.
Saul, with a smile that now seemed cruel, licked his lips and added, “But Beatrix? She’s dull, timid, and boring. How could she compare to someone as lively as you?”
He chuckled as if amused by his own words. “Eight years with her, and I’m already tired of it.”
The girl giggled, a mock, thoughtful expression on her face.
“So, Saul, aren’t you worried she’ll find out? Maybe cause a scene?”
Her question hung in the air, but Saul didn’t even flinch.
Saul shrugged, his voice carrying a casual arrogance. “So what if she finds out? She doesn’t even have a job. She depends on me for everything. Where could she possibly go?”
The girl giggled, climbing onto his shoulder, her tone sweet and coy.
“Will you get tired of me, Saul? If you do, I’ll be so heartbroken.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, teetering on the edge of falling, giving her an almost pitiful charm.
Saul smiled indulgently, shaking his head with a tenderness that made my stomach churn. “How could I bear to make you sad? When you cry, my heart feels like it’s breaking.”
Satisfied, she leaned in, their lips meeting again as if sealing his promise.
The video continued to play, and then I saw him answer a call. My call.
On the other end of the line, it was me, softly asking about his health, reminding him to rest.
His voice was warm and reassuring as if he were still the husband I thought I knew. But even as he spoke to me, he pulled the young woman into his arms, holding her close.
That day remained etched in my mind.
