That evening, when Saul returned, he carried a massive bouquet of flowers, their vibrant petals a mockery of the ache inside me.
From his pocket, he pulled out a delicate necklace, the kind that sparkled under the faintest light, and gently clasped it around my neck.
Overwhelmed, I threw myself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses as if trying to etch this moment into eternity.
He stroked my hair, his gaze soft and filled with what seemed like love. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy,” he murmured, his voice warm enough to melt glaciers.
But then, the tears on my cheeks brought me back to reality.
I glanced at the screen, at the entwined figures who had shattered my world. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, sharp and hollow.
Saul, the man who had promised to cherish me forever on our wedding day, could still whisper words of comfort while holding another in his arms.
Shutting off my phone, I let my eyes close, but there was no peace to be found.
My heart felt as though it had been slashed repeatedly, each cut deeper than the last, bleeding in silence.
And yet, the courage to confront him was nowhere to be found.
A nail driven deep into a wall might be removed, but the scar it leaves can never truly heal.
When Saul was just nineteen, he had boldly rushed toward me through a sea of people, holding a bouquet of flowers as though they were his heart.
He swore with unshakable conviction that he would love me, Beatrix, until the day he died.
But promises made in passion often wither before they reach their end.
By the time Saul returned that night, the clock was nearing midnight.
After his shower, he slid into bed beside me, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist as though he couldn’t bear to let me go.
I stiffened, an inexplicable disgust rising within me, and shifted ever so slightly away from his touch.
He noticed instantly, drawing closer with an almost childlike confusion, his voice soft and pleading.
“Wife, are you upset? I swear I couldn’t get away; that’s why I came back late.”
His tone brimmed with regret as he continued, “I’m sorry. How about tomorrow? Didn’t you say you wanted to visit the hot springs? Let me take you there, okay?”
I met his gaze, those familiar eyes filled with concern, but instead of comfort, they only made my heart ache.
A numbing pain spread through me as I stared at the man who had once been my world.
For years, we had shared the same bed, yet I had no idea how effortlessly he concealed his lies. Not a single crack in his perfect mask.
But I had become a skilled actress, too.
“It’s fine,” I said softly, forcing a smile. “Just some insomnia.”
I reached out, brushing a hand over his cheek. “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest. Don’t overthink it.”
His expression softened as he smiled, warm and genuine, pulling me back into his embrace.
By morning, Saul was the same as ever, slipping seamlessly into the role of the perfect husband.
The toothpaste was neatly squeezed out, and the breakfast was arranged on the table with care.
Every detail whispered of love.
And yet, all I could hear was the echo of a promise that had died somewhere along the way.
But even a man who once vowed to love me deeply could find space in his heart for someone else.
My phone buzzed, and a message from Saul lit up the screen.
[Wife, I’ll be home soon. Let’s go out for dinner together.]
I replied with a simple, detached response, unsure where to direct the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
Then, another notification. An email.
Saul, who had claimed to be buried in work, was at her house again. The woman didn’t bother to hide her triumph, flaunting his presence with shameless boldness.
Strangely, I felt no anger. Just an eerie calm, as though a burden had finally been lifted from my shoulders.
After shedding what felt like the last tear I had left for him, I booked an appointment at the hospital for an examination.
My suspicion was confirmed. I was pregnant.
Deep down, I had already known. Even before we moved, I had felt the subtle signs.
I had planned to wait until after the chaos of moving settled to confirm it, imagining the joy on Saul’s face when I shared the news.
He had always loved children.
But now, it seemed pointless to tell him.
I hadn’t yet decided whether to keep the baby.
Once, I had longed for this child, imagining how it might bring us closer.
Now, its existence felt like a cruel reminder, an unrelenting needle pricking at the reality of Saul’s betrayal.
The phone rang as I stepped out of the hospital. It was Saul.
His voice carried its usual warmth as he asked where I was.
I didn’t hesitate to tell him the truth. “I just left the hospital. Can you come pick me up?”
In no time, Saul arrived. He rushed to my side, his eyes scanning me with concern as though searching for signs of something he didn’t yet know.
