A Stray Earring

My body froze when I found a used condom wedged in the side of the passenger seat. My mind went completely blank.

James Fullman and I had been in love for 10 years.

We fell in love at the peak of our youth. We became each other's most treasured memory of those innocent days.

The distance between us in our college years did not manage to break us. Although separated by 600 miles, we called each other constantly, pouring out how much we missed one another. I would sob uncontrollably on the phone, while he listened in silence. Tears would well up in his eyes too.

No one expected our relationship to last. Not even the internet believed in long-distance relationships.

Yet, James proved everyone wrong. He showed up on my graduation day and went on one knee as he presented me with the ring he had spent all his allowance on.

It was a sunny afternoon, but James shone brighter than anything else in my eyes. His youthful gaze sparkled with unwavering determination.

"Melina, I've lived every day of my life pining for you ever since we met. Only you make my heart ache in the most bittersweet way. The thought of a future without you terrifies me.

"I know proposing now might seem impulsive—maybe even reckless—but all I want is to spend forever with you.

"Melina Carlington, will you marry me?"

I could not remember how he slipped the ring on my finger on that day. All that stayed with me was the sound of my classmates cheering, the tears streaming down my face, and the way James held me tightly in his arms.

"I will treat you right forever," he whispered. "Trust me."

And I did. I trusted him for five years.

We got married after we graduated college and became the most perfect couple in our social circles.

James stayed true to his words. He pampered me and protected me well. After I accidentally cut myself in the kitchen, he banned me from cooking altogether.

With tears brimming in his eyes, he bandaged my finger and kissed the back of my hand. "Melina, you can't get hurt. It would break my heart."

I once believed I was the happiest woman alive. Defying my parents' wishes to move to an unfamiliar city for him felt worth it.

I had placed all my bets on our marriage, convinced James would never be like the men who strayed.

But just when I thought I'd won that gamble, a devastating betrayal shattered my world. It happened five years into our marriage and 10 years into our love story.