I Left My Husband When I Found His Affair With His Childhood Sweetheart

(Cassie's POV)

I stared at the time and sighed. My forehead was sore as I kept waiting for Max at the dining table.

Yesterday was our fifth anniversary, and I hoped that at least yesterday, he'd come back sooner. But he didn't. And, I was still waiting for him at 3 in the morning.

He had been coming late for almost a year. I thought yesterday was going to be different. But that wasn't the case.

I looked at the cold dishes I prepared with love when my stomach grumbled in hunger.

Just then, I heard a car pull up and I instinctively knew it was Max.

Excitedly, I went to the door but my heart sank when I saw Max entering with Violet, my husband’s childhood friend. She had returned from abroad a year back. And, things have changed.

Though he assured me that she was nothing more than a childhood friend to me, he started growing distant ever since she came.

“I missed you a lot, honey.” He said as he shoved a $5000 flower bouquet, and kissed my cheeks. But my lips didn't curl up. Instead, I felt nauseous.

Both of them had the same scent. Floral, feminine and sweaty.

“Honey, please forgive me. Okay?” he said as he put on an expensive necklace.

“I had been caught up with business, and suddenly had to go on a business trip yesterday.” He continued.

I nodded, forcing a smile on my lips.

“Max, can we talk in the office?” Violet interrupted as she walked over, and grasped Max’s arms.

My body shuddered as I pushed Max away.

It seemed like he wanted to explain something. But I didn't give him the chance and went to the kitchen.

I splashed water on my face as I held back the tears.

I knew what they were doing behind my back, but I gave him the chance again and again. But, it only ended with disappointment.

I loved Max so much that I couldn't bear leaving him. But now…

Biting my lips, I took some cookies and drinks for them in the study.

I was about to knock on the door when I froze, and I slightly opened the door.

I was curious about the lewd noises.

My heart thumped as I looked at Max and Violet…kissing.

“Aren't you ashamed to see your wife after you spent the night with me on your anniversary, honey?” I announced my presence loudly. But guess what he replied with?

“And, aren't you bold to come here?” Max retorted as he continued kissing her. In front of me.

My face turned pale and I clenched my fist.

Max held her so delicately. From an outsider perspective, they totally believe they were a couple and I was their maid.

Tears didn't stream down my face. It was as if I anticipated this moment.

But my heart felt tormented as if someone stabbed it a thousand times as I recalled our memories.

Instantly, I went back to the kitchen, gasping for air.

I knew what they were doing behind my back, but it hurt me to witness it myself.

Why? Why did it have to turn out like this?

We had been together for eight years, five years, since we got married. Max claimed that he loved me ten years back.

But how did this marriage turn out to be like this?

I wiped the tears off my face, and didn't confront them. I had no energy. The love had already faded, so what's the point?

Max continued to be the perfect husband, and I didn't expose him.

The next day, Max kissed my cheeks as I went downstairs but I pushed him away.

I couldn't bring myself to love him the same after what I saw yesterday.

“What happened, honey? Are you okay?” He asked.

“I'm not feeling well today.” I said nonchalantly.

“I wish I could stay here and take care of you.” He creepily glided his hand around my waist and said.

I put on a fake smile. “Can you come back early today?”

He hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “I will.”

Before he left, he gave me flowers.

This was his daily routine. At first, I thought I was the luckiest, but now, all of these gifts seemed like he was trying to ease his guilt for every time he betrayed me.

As soon as his back turned, I stomped on my favorite roses and threw them in the trash.

*****

Max didn't stay loyal to his promise either. He left me stranded and waiting. Tears poured down my eyes and I made a drastic set of decisions. There was no turning back.

“Miss Cassie, are you sure to transfer all the money to XXX Bank?”

“I am. And, please deactivate my bank account.”

“Are you sure, Miss Cassie?”

“I am.”

I could hear the hesitation in her voice.

After all, why would I deactivate the account when I had been here for decades, and even transfer my money overseas?

After I cut the call, I dialled my assistant. “Please help me erase my past record.”

I wanted to disappear from Max's life without leaving any traces.

Just then, my attention fell on the TV. It was Max’s interview.

“So, what are your plans for the future, Mr. Cornell?” the interviewer asked.

“My plans for the future are with my wife. I want to give her everything, and start a family with her after the company is listed.” Max faked.

“That's romantic! Who doesn't know that Mr and Mrs Cornell are the best pair? I hope I can get lucky with such a husband too.”

Biting my lips, I held back from crying. My heart felt suffocated, and I turned the TV off.

To others, we were the ‘perfect couple’ and Max was the perfect husband. But in reality, this marriage was heavily turbulent.

As I closed my eyes, the tears I tried holding back dripped down. My heart pained as I remembered the past.

Our relationship was once the best.

Max had met me while I was auditioning for a role. Our encounter was an accident, but he fell for me at first sight.

I rejected him many times but he continued to chase me, for years.

In the end, I agreed to date him out of guilt. But I had an ultimatum: if he ever betrayed me, I'd leave him.

However, after so many years, he had forgotten all about it. His promise faded with our marriage.

I gave him my youth, my career, and my all to him.

And this ‘perfect’ marriage had come to an end.