Moments later, Austin pushed Ruby away. His face darkened as he muttered something to her.
Ruby was reluctant. She protested in soft voice and her eyes reddened but Austin still forcefully dragged her outside. That was until she took off the bathrobe.
As soon as the bathroom that draped over her shoulder slipped off, a set of provocative lingerie was revealed. Seeing this Austin froze. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly and his gaze was clouded with desire.
With a fierce urgency, he kissed Ruby hard, hauled her by grabbing her waist and carried her toward me.
“Baby,” he said. "The company just called. I have an urgent meeting to attend. You rest for a while, okay? Once I’m done, I’ll come back and spend time with you.”
Before I could respond, he turned and hurriedly headed upstairs with Ruby in his arms.
Ruby clung to Austin's waist and her eyes brimming with smug triumph as she cast a defiant glance at me.
It wasn’t until their figures disappeared at the top of the stairs that I slowly withdrew my gaze.
He had promised to take care of me. Yet, here he was, he was the one who left me alone on the couch while whispering sweet nothings to another woman.
I took out my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart. The call immediately picked up by someone at the other side of the line. He asked, "Sally Miller?"
“It’s me,” I replied softly. I pursed my lips and asked, "Didn't you call me three days ago? And, do you remember that you mentioned a planetary research project that needed my involvement? Well, I’ve thought it over and I’ve decided to join you.”
There was a long pause on the other end before my professor’s excited voice could be heard. "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "This project was your brainchild back in the day. No one is more suited to lead it than you. However, … I heard you’re getting married soon. This project will require at least three or four years of isolation. Are you really ready for that?”
I went to turn off the music. Without it, the sound of a man and a woman having intercourse could be heard vaguely from upstairs.
I smiled bitterly as tears streamed silently down my face. Then I said, "I've made up my mind, Professor. There is no marriage."
After I ended the call, I turned the music on.
My favorite piano composition sounded and gradually I drifted to sleep. I did not know how much time had passed before I was startled awake by the sound of muffled gasps.
When I opened my eyes, I was met with Austin's lust-filled gaze. At that moment., I felt as though a taut string in my mind snapped completely.
I had never imagined Austin could stoop so low like this. While I was sleeping, he actually took this moment to make love with Ruby right in front of me.
Ruby's trembling hand covered her mouth tightly and her whole body was trembling violently with pleasure.
Then Austin's eyes met mine. His face turned tense suddenly. However, in the next instant, he seemed to regain his composure and resumed his shameless acts with renewed fervor.
How thrilling it must be for him to cheat in front of your fiancée. It was so thrilling this way.
“What are you doing?” I asked curiously as I lowered my gaze
“Waiting for my precious baby to wake up, of course,” he replied smoothly. “After all these years, I can never get enough of you.”
"Really?" I asked.
I let out a faint, mocking laugh. Beneath the covers, my hands clenched into fists so tight my nails dug into my palms. It was the only way to suppress the overwhelming urge to confront him.
However, it was not the right. It was not enough. If I exposed him now I would be too easy for him. I wanted Austin to suffer, to fall into despair. I wanted him to spend every single day of his remaining life consumed by regret and haunted by these memories.
“Of course, baby. We’ve been together for so long. You know how much I love you, don’t you?” he said.
It was so hilarious. The man could profess his love for me while there was another woman lying underneath him. Was this his idea of love?
