Amelia’s hands hesitated on the door handle as she caught the murmur of voices within. Her husband was with another woman in his study, discussing her wedding anniversary as if it was for the other woman.
“We could go to France, or Dubai; somewhere better and more memorable than the last time. We can do something much more fun than other times. You know…” the woman’s voice came again, then she clicked her tongue.
“That’s why I love you; you’ve got the greatest ideas for a vacation. I’m dying to get inside you, and ride you to ecstasy. We leave on Friday, and we'll come back on Monday,” Fred’s baritone voice came. His voice was sweet, loving, calm and soothing.
In their six years of marriage, Fred had never spoken to her in that manner. His tone was always cold and dismissive, as if he was discussing business with a business partner.
“Monday? That’s so soon. Don’t you want to spend more time with me? Why are you in a hurry to meet your wife? Do you prefer her now?” Isabel asked, rolling her eyes.
“Of course not, I’ll choose you anytime, any day. She’s a side piece and can never be compared to you. I have to get back to her side on Monday. You know we still need her to finish the deal. She doesn’t have to discover anything yet until we get what we want.”
“That’s my sweetheart. I can’t wait to be your wife. You know what? I’ll give you the perfect treat on your anniversary.” Then sounds of smooching and locking of lips were heard.
Amelia sniffed lightly, her throat burning as her vision got blurred with tears.
Her sixth wedding anniversary was in three days, and she had been doing intent research on perfect places to spend the day. She eventually found what she thought was perfect, and she hurried home to tell him only to meet the shock of her life—Her husband was planning a vacation with another woman on the day of their anniversary.
Not just any woman, but his supposed childhood friend and business partner. What’s more? This wasn’t the first time; they’d been doing it all along, while keeping her in the dark.
To Fred, she was just a side piece who would be discarded once he got what he wanted from her.
Amelia turned, moving away stealthily, not wanting to hear more of the sounds coming from her husband’s study. Her eyes were blinded with her tears, as she got behind her steering wheel, turning the ignition with trembling fingers.
She sniffed, and shuddered, recalling the signs she'd pretending not to see; the times she’d let herself defend him.
‘Is this a lipstick mark on your shirt, Fred?’ She'd asked one time he returned home at midnight.
Fred waved it off, ‘Some drunk woman pressed herself against me on the road.
Another time, she'd picked up his clothes, and sniffed the oddly feminine scent emanating from it, ‘We went to a charity function today, and God, Amelia, there was so much unnecessary hugging.’ He said, with repulsion.
Yet another time, he'd been on a call, a loving smile plastered on his face speaking in his lowest and softest.
Amelia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, stepping hard on the brakes, as her knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel too hard.
What a fool she'd been not to suspect how he'd always been on business trips prior to and during all their wedding aniversaries.
Well, now she knew what those trips were all ahout—Isabel.
As the thought of them making out filled her mind, she pressed even harder on the brakes, going over the speed limit, her lips pressed firmly together, and eyes blazing with tearful fury.
‘You both should be careful,’ Amelia had innocently helped pack their bags each time.
‘Welcome! You look so tired. I prepared…’ She would even welcome them when they returned, with hot baths, and fancy meals.
“Damn!” She let out, hitting the steering wheel, only for her eyes to widen a fraction of a second later.
Too late; mighty headlight beams flashed upon her features through her windshield, causing her to go blind temporarily from the lights. The urgent horns rose from every angle, deafening her, as she turned the steering wheel desperately, trying to avoid the oncoming car. Panic raced through her as the cars skidded closer, but it was inevitable—the miserable crash that knocked the breath out of her.
