Chapter 7

"Shut up, George. Enough."

"What happened? Feeling brave, hippo?"

He kept humiliating me. I gathered strength I didn't even know where I found.

"Be quiet, idiot. I may be fat, and I'm here to get rid of this extra weight. But there are things that can never change: fidelity."

"What are you trying to say, Candy?"

"Shut your mouth. It's my turn to talk. I know you're cheating on me."

"That was the last thing I needed. Making up that I'm cheating on you because you can't lose weight? Don't put your mistake on me."

"George, you're a bastard. You're cheating on me with Chloe."

Everyone at the gym was in shock. Nobody was working out anymore; everyone's attention was focused on our fight. Lucy tried to interrupt us, but it was already too late.

"Are you crazy, Candy? I barely have time to breathe. You think I'm going to cheat on you? And the worst part, with a student from our gym? It looks like the sugar has gone to your head!"

George answered my accusation coldly. He wanted to make me look crazy in front of everyone. He kept making jokes about my weight. I looked around, and Chloe had simply disappeared.

"Let's go home, sweetheart. You can continue your workout tomorrow. Enough with this argument. You two aren't getting anywhere."

"Go ahead, double-chocolate cupcake. Let's see if you're back at this gym tomorrow."

"I don't think I ever want to see you again, you monster. Maybe, starting today, you're single. Ready to go after Chloe."

My husband turned pale and said nothing else. Lucy grabbed me by the arms and led me to the car.

On the way, I started crying. I was devastated. Once again, George had made sure to humiliate me at that gym. This time, it was even worse.

I didn't want to go home. Lucy drove while I cried.

"You can't stay like this. You have to hold your head up and move forward. You need strength, Candy. Are you going to let him talk to you like that forever?"

I cried harder every time Lucy tried to cheer me up. I couldn't see any other way out except separation.

Besides, I was certain he had cheated on me with Chloe.

"Did you see how he dodged the question when I mentioned Chloe?"

"I did, Candy. But what do you actually know about it? Is it true?"

"Yes, Lucy. I saw her sending him a message about meeting him."

"But are you sure about that? I think you should talk to him before making any decision."

"I know, my friend. Right now, I just want a chocolate milkshake and a hamburger. Let's go?"

"Great idea. After all, no one can make good decisions about their life while they're this upset."

We continued the drive, exchanging a few words, but most of the time we remained silent. Lucy gave me space to process those wounds that had just opened.

I was convinced that I didn't want George anymore. But it wouldn't be that easy. We were married under a community property arrangement. In other words, half of Candy Cake belonged to him, and half of that gym belonged to me.

I also wasn't sure whether I was thinking clearly. For a moment, I was afraid I might change my mind and regret it later. But I didn't tell Lucy about that.

"Let's go to that fast-food place over there."

I pointed toward the street beside us as the car approached a restaurant famous for serving food loaded with calories. It was exactly what someone like me needed at that moment.

Instead of using the drive-thru, Lucy parked the car.

"Let's eat inside."

We arrived at the restaurant, which was half empty. Until two hours ago, I never would have imagined that my night would end in that place.

I had been so determined about my diet and the workouts I was just starting. I decided not to judge myself and not to feel guilty about the milkshake waiting for me.

We ordered and sat at a table. While I ate, Lucy questioned me:

"Are you really going to get divorced? Do you think this was enough reason?"

"Isn't cheating reason enough, Lucy?"

"But you still aren't sure that's what happened, my friend. How could you accuse him like that in the middle of the gym?"

"I was overwhelmed. Couldn't you see that? I needed to defend myself."

"I know. It was obvious that you were suffering. But you should have checked the story first."

"Did you see where that slut Chloe went?"

"She ran away. Maybe she was afraid you'd start a huge argument with her."

"That's exactly what I was planning."

"Then that's why she ran."

We both started laughing at the situation. For a moment, Lucy brought me a sense of peace and a few moments of relief after my fight with George at the gym.

While we finished our meal, I refused to make a decision about my life. I had money. I wasn't dependent on him.

I could start a life far away from that gym.

"I think I'm really going to leave George, Lucy."

"Think carefully, Candy. You already have a life built with him. But if that's truly your decision, there's only one thing I can do: support you."

"It may hurt, but he destroyed me in front of everyone. What a humiliation. Just because I'm fat?"

I raised my voice, and some teenagers nearby heard my outburst. Those malicious smiles came back to haunt me.

I started feeling nauseous. I no longer wanted to finish my food. I thought I was going to throw up and ran to the bathroom.

"Are you okay, Candy?"

When I came back from the bathroom, Lucy was worried. But it was only a false alarm. I think I got nervous after seeing those smiles that felt like bullying.

"Yes, I'm fine. I didn't get sick. I think it's just because I hadn't eaten junk food in so long."

"Don't say that, my friend. You only started your diet today."

"Wow, that's right. It felt like I hadn't eaten this in a week."

We both burst out laughing. There was still a little milkshake left in the cup, and I drank it.

"Look, but now we have to focus. We need to get thin and hot by the end of the year."

"Speak for yourself, Candy. I'm an old wolf. I just want my body to keep working properly."

"No, no. You and I are going out together. We're going to find ourselves some boyfriends, some wolves from outside the pack. Let's go to the Howl Ball. There are only handsome men there."

"Wow, imagine me at a ball at my age. The young ones would send me straight to a retirement home."

"No way, Lucy. You're still young, and you're beautiful. I'm sure you'll find a handsome partner. Let me just get away from George, and we'll go out there and have some fun."

I said those things, but deep down, I was devastated. I wasn't sure if I wanted to leave him. I had doubts about getting divorced.

"So, Candy? Are we going home?"

Lucy asked that as we left the fast-food restaurant.

"I still don't know. I think I'll go to a hotel. I want to spend some time alone."

"Are you sure about that, Candy?"

"Honestly, no. I'm confused. But I can't look that man in the face. It feels like almost all my love for him has died. I also don't know if I'll still feel this way tomorrow, which is why I don't want to make a decision today."

"I think you're right not to get divorced right now. Think about it. Maybe staying away from home for a few days would be better."

"That's right, Lucy. And I can use the time to rest a little. I'll close the shop for a few days and go to a beautiful hotel with a pool. Right here in town, just to relax."

"You're absolutely right, my friend. I just can't come with you because I have to work tomorrow."

"But first I need to stop by home. Can you drop me off there?"

"Of course. I'm already on my way."

When you arrived at my house about five minutes later, George's car still wasn't there.

It was almost eleven o'clock, and George hadn't come home. That tore at my heart even more. My chest hurt. Not finding him at home made me even more determined to leave him.

I started crying before getting out of the car.

"Don't be like this, Candy. He's not there?"

"No, Lucy. His car isn't in the garage. George closes the gym and always comes home. I don't understand what happened. Did he leave me before I could leave him?"

"You could be right or wrong, my friend. We'll only know tomorrow, because someone here has to check in before midnight. Come on. I'll take you to the hotel now, and I'll go inside with you to help you get your things."

"Wow, Lucy. You're a sweetheart. Let's have some coffee, and you'll try one of my cakes. What's your favorite sweet? Chocolate."

"Now that's an invitation I like. I love sweets. My favorite is passion fruit."

"Really? I love passion fruit too. And guess what? I have a passion-fruit ganache cake all ready."

"Let's go inside now, then. My mouth is watering."

We reached the front door, and when I tried to put the key into the lock, the door opened by itself. Someone had left it open.

I started walking into the living room, afraid. Lucy noticed how apprehensive I was.

I noticed a note sitting on the table.

It was from George.

I couldn't believe what was written on it. I started crying and calling him.