I ended my post-graduate studies early and flew back home. As soon as I got off the plane, I saw Easton West standing in the arrivals area. He was dressed in a sharp black coat, his eyes intently fixed on the entrance. With his handsome features and such a devoted expression, he was quite the heartthrob. Especially since he was holding a bouquet of vibrant red roses.
Easton was rarely this demonstrative. Having been married to him for five years, I knew him well. He must have found out that I was returning earlier than planned and came to meet me. I was about to walk over when a pregnant woman hurried past me and threw herself into his arms: “Honey, the baby and I missed you so much.”
Easton held her tightly, and their public display of affection drew applause and cheers from onlookers. I gripped the handle of my suitcase. If he was her husband, then where was mine?
I stood there stunned, blocking the exit, and someone’s suitcase bumped into me from behind. With a muttered curse, the person grumbled, “What are you doing blocking the way? Are you blind? There are people trying to get through!”
This commotion drew the attention of the couple in their intimate embrace. Easton looked up, his gaze cutting through the crowd until it found me, and I wasn’t sure who felt more awkward. Catching your husband cheating at the airport—it was a scene too dramatic even for TV.
Easton’s stiffness made the woman in his arms suspicious. She turned her head and, upon seeing me, her face went white. They were faces I knew all too well. From the back, I hadn’t recognized her, but the pregnant woman turned out to be my best friend, Diana Oliver.
I took a deep breath and walked briskly toward them. Diana’s face turned ashen, and she immediately ducked behind Easton, murmuring, “Vera, why are you back?”
I held the suitcase handle so tightly my knuckles turned white. I locked eyes with Easton and demanded coldly, “Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on right now?”
“If I hadn’t come back early, I might never have known that the two most important people in my life were cheating on me.”
Diana stepped forward, seemingly ready to explain, but then she touched her visibly pregnant belly and retreated to Easton’s side, looking at me pitifully, “I'm sorry, Vera, we didn’t mean to keep it from you…”
I caught the brief look of triumph in Diana’s eyes. I raised my hand and slapped her hard.
The slap echoed, shocking Diana into silence. No one expected mild-mannered me to resort to violence.
Easton embraced Diana protectively, frowning at me, “I had planned to tell you earlier, but I was worried it would affect your studies, so I kept quiet. Diana thought that your education was important to you, and she would feel guilty if it affected your academics.”
“Diana only wanted what's best for you; try to understand her intentions.”
“If there’s anyone to blame, blame me. It’s all on me.”
Diana covered her face, eyes red, just watching me, wanting to speak but too afraid, merely sniffling and saying, “Vera, can we talk about this at home?”
Home? Which home—mine and Easton’s, or hers and Easton’s?
I didn’t want to know anymore. The sudden betrayal hit me like a sledgehammer. I clung tightly to the suitcase handle, trying to preserve the last shred of my dignity. Deliberately, I enunciated, “No need. My professor arranged for a car to pick me up.”
“Now, I just want to know one thing. How long have you two been seeing each other?”
Diana caressed her belly, retreating fearfully. Easton stepped forward, shielding her, “The duration doesn’t matter anymore. The child she’s carrying is mine. You can yell or blame me all you want. Since you don’t want us to drive you, let's discuss this at home.”
The two of them left arm in arm, and I stood in the airport, my heart feeling as hollow as a winter wind sweeping through a canyon. The anticipation and joy of returning home turned into the biggest farce of my life.
