Chapter 6

"How can you say that, Candy? The day has barely started, and you already want to pick a fight?"

"Me? You could be hiding something. I don't know. I smell something burning, and it's not those ugly pancakes you made."

"Are you crazy? I didn't do anything wrong. I decided to make breakfast as a way of apologizing for what happened at the gym yesterday."

"But what did you do at the gym that afternoon?"

"I did what I do every day. I checked on my students, registered new members, and left everything clean to start a new day today."

"You're pathetic, George. You think you can hide this from me."

"Hide what, Candy? I don't understand you."

For a moment, my anger faded. It wasn't the right time to reveal what I knew about Chloe. I needed more information. I returned to my normal mood and continued breakfast as if nothing had happened.

"I'm sorry, my love. I just woke up in a bad mood today."

"It's okay. I also want to apologize for what happened at the gym yesterday. I'm just worried about your health."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. I'm going to work out in a little while."

"You're really going? That's why I'm so proud of having such a beautiful wife."

George became completely excited after I announced that I was going to the gym. As far as he was concerned, I had given up on exercising altogether.

"And no more sweets in this house. From now on, they're only allowed at Candy Cake. If you want something sweet after dinner, you'll have to place an order before leaving the gym."

"What do you mean, Candy? Your business operates inside our house."

"Yes, I know. But there need to be boundaries. I don't want to see any sweets unless they're inside that room where Candy Cake is."

"All right. You're the boss."

He kissed my forehead. It seemed like George was avoiding me. It had been a long time since he had come looking for me at night. Now I knew her name: Chloe.

George hurried to finish breakfast. He had to get to the gym soon. The employees opened the place at six in the morning, but he didn't arrive until 8:30.

"I need to go, sweetheart. I'm already late."

He rushed out after saying goodbye to me. In his hurry, he forgot his lunch bag.

I finished my breakfast and started taking care of the kitchen. I washed the dishes and opened the store before going to the gym. My phone rang.

"Love, I forgot my lunch bag. I'll ask someone to pick it up there."

"You really did forget it. I was actually about to message you. That's fine. Just let me know when you find someone who can get it."

"Will do. Kisses. Love you."

I opened Candy Cake, and the orders immediately started coming in. I already had most of the production ready from the day before. Most of the orders only needed to be packaged. George sent me another message.

"My love, I found someone to pick up my lunch bag. Chloe will be there in 20 minutes."

I froze. My heart stopped for a moment. That man actually had the nerve to send his mistress into my home. I thought about ending everything right there.

But I took a deep breath. Exhaled. Took another deep breath and cried. Only a few tears invaded my face this time. I waited a little longer before replying.

"Don't send her. I'll bring it to you in a little while."

That was the best answer I could have written. Cold, calculating, but completely precise. If that woman stepped into my house, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions.

If I confronted George right there, I wouldn't know anything. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and looked at Candy Cake. It was all I had.

In just the beginning of that morning, I had already handled more than 20 orders. Luckily, all the cakes that had been ordered were already ready. No one had ordered a flavor that I would have had to make on the spot.

I paused the store and decided to take a shower. It was time to go to the gym. I decided to message my friend Lucy.

"Hi, sweetheart. Good morning. Are we going to the gym in a little while?"

"Good morning, Candy. Yes, of course. Today we're going to take that place by storm."

"Deal, then. I'll see you there."

"See you soon."

Lucy was becoming a great friend. I finished my shower and put on the nicest workout clothes I had. I put on my best perfume, grabbed George's lunch bag, and got into the car to leave home.

I arrived at the gym quickly. Lucy was already there. She was doing cardio when George noticed that I had arrived.

He was talking to Chloe when I walked in. I threw the lunch bag against his chest in indignation.

"Does this girl live at this gym?"

I made it clear that I wasn't happy about her. George noticed everything and his eyes widened. After that, I pretended not to know what was going on and started working out with Lucy.

George came after me.

"Started working out, you fat cow?"

"Stop it, George."

"Why? Just because you decided to stop being fat yesterday? You still have plenty of pounds to burn, piggy bank."

"What is this, George? You've never talked to me like this."

"And I'll say more. I'll say it so this entire gym can hear."

George started putting on a show. He spread his arms as if he were standing before an audience.

"I did everything I could to keep you from being fat. I own a gym. I took you out to eat healthy food. But, Candy, all you cared about was sweets. Even your name reminds me of a cake, covered in chocolate."

"Stop it, George."

Lucy tried to defend me, but that man was completely out of control.

"I'm going to say more. Nobody can stand having that much weight beside them in bed. The mattress sinks completely. And that's when I don't wake up with you on top of me. You look like an elephant on top of an ant."

Everyone in the gym started laughing. He wanted attention, and he kept humiliating me. This time, I started crying.

"Crying won't help, my little ball. Shedding tears burns calories, but running is what will make you thin."

Chloe started coming closer. I glared at her. After that, she didn't come any closer; she understood that she had reached the limit.

"That's 150 kilos, people. Imagine having to live with that every day. Let's make this a challenge: who here can lift this fat cow?"

George continued humiliating me. He shouted louder and louder. Someone even turned down the music in the gym.

I stood completely frozen in the face of that attack. Lucy, who was standing beside me, hugged me.

"Stay calm, Candy. He's a monster. Let's get out of here."

After Lucy hugged me, I cried even harder. But when she tried to move me from the spot, my body refused to leave.

"I'm leaving, Lucy, but first I need to throw a few truths in that bastard's face."