Ethan“Well, well, well,” I said to myself as I treated my hungry stomach to some french toast and some juice. I could not get the image of Reina walking out of the house every morning out of my head.I knew she was excited about this new project. I had a lot of work to do than to worry too much about them. Everytime I texted her, she always replied that she was busy. It sounded suspicious that I thought I might just go to her workplace unannounced to find out what is really happening. I sat on the couch, trying to focus on the soap opera playing on the television. I tried to keep up with it since I didn't have anything to do at the moment . Andrew was already back from school and as usual, he was playing with his toys on the floor. “Hey, buddy,” I called out to him, needing a distraction. The soap opera was not enough for me and I was not quite enjoying the show. “You want to go outside for a bit?”Andrew looked up, his face lighting up with excitement. “Yes, Dad! Can we go t
ReinaI was excited that I ended my day with hot sex with Ethan. He fucked me like he was trying to remind me that I was still his. The next morning started really smoothly unlike other days. Maybe the sex was what did the magic. There was no heaviness in the air between Ethan and me. We didn't talk last night so I didn't feel weird. Although, I knew that he wanted us to talk but he was tired of having a conversation about Leonard. That was the last thing I would be doing. Yes, I understood his concerns, but I also felt like he did not trust me as much as he said he did. I had been working hard on this project, and the last thing I needed was doubt creeping in from home.It was crazy. It was really a crazy thing to do. I wish I could blame him but I could not. He was human after all and a man for that. I sat at the dining table, sipping my coffee slowly, waiting for Ethan to come down. I had an early meeting with Leonard and his team today to finalize some design choices fo
ReinaThere was one thing I loved in this world, and that was when things went as planned. The night of the gala had finally arrived, and it was a success. A huge success. I owe that to Leonard because that man put a lot of work into it, and I was glad I was part of this project. As usual, the guests were dressed in their finest, the models were stunning, and the runway show went off without difficulty. Everything went so smoothly. I could cry. People were laughing, chatting, and sipping champagne everywhere I looked. The air was filled with excitement, and the spectators were so satisfied with what they had seen. I could not believe I had pulled it off.It felt really good. As I stood by the bar, watching the final few models walk the runway, I allowed myself to breathe for the first time that night. All the stress, all the sleepless nights, had been worth it. I wanted to throw a party and celebrate my sucess. My bank account was also smiling. Everybody won. The designs wer
EthanI sat in the living room, staring at my phone, waiting for Reina to text me back. She hadn’t replied to my earlier message about how the gala was going, and I was getting uneasy. I knew how important this night was for her, and I wanted to share in her joy or her disappointment. Whichever way the gala went. I really wished she fed me with the gists about the gala but she didn't. A small part of me could not shake the feeling that something was off. Maybe I was just thinking too much as usual. After all, she had worked so hard for this.Andrew was already asleep, snuggled up in his bed with his body wrapped in blankets. He had a long day at school. I won't lie. After his sleep, he would be up again, devouring his book. It's not easy being a student who wants to get good grades. I got up and paced the room, trying to shake off the restless energy that I had in me. The house was too quiet without Reina.It didn’t feel right. My thoughts wandered back to her at the gala, s
Reina I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm the storm of raging emotions swirling inside me. I could still remember my argument with Ethan and I felt bad. I could not stop myself from feeling this terrible. I hated it when we fought, and even though I understood why he was upset, I could not help but feel frustrated myself.The gala had been a huge success, and instead of celebrating it together, we were at loggerheads because of Leonard.Isn't that crazy? I thought I would come back, opening bottles of wine go celebrate my win but that was not the case. I sighed out loud and rolled over on the bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin, but sleep was not coming.My eyes were still wide open and even though I was tired, sleep was far from me. It was the last thing on my mind. My mind kept replaying the events of the night, Leonard’s advances towards me, his charming words. I had not wanted to make a scene or embarrass him, but thinking about it again, maybe I should
Reina The meeting with Leonard went as smoothly as I could have hoped. I was stricter this time, clear, and kept it strictly professional.There were no mixed signals, no awkward pauses. We analysed the success of the just conclude Gala's fashion project, exchanged a few pleasantries, and went our separate ways.Or at least, that’s what I thought.A week had passed since the gala, and I had not heard much from Leonard. I thought maybe he had taken the hint when I told him I was married. I didn’t expect him to reach out again, especially since our work together was done.We were not meant to cross paths again unless if we are working together again which I doubt might happen soon. But then, my phone buzzed.I glanced at the screen while working on a new design for a different client. It was Leonard.Leonard? Seriously? Again!“Hope you’re doing well. I was glad that I saw your beautiful face today. Just wanted to see how you are settling in. Dinner? You don't have to turn be down
Reina I was sure things with Leonard were finally over. After Ethan stepped in, I thought Leonard had gotten the message. There had been no texts, no calls, and no unexpected visits. I could finally breathe again and focus on my life and work without the discomfort of being pursued by a man who doesn't care about the boundaries of a woman. So today, I decided to treat myself. I had not had a proper break since the gala, and I had been working nonstop ever since. A little shopping was just what I needed. It was a way to clear my head and unwind from the stress that I was feeling. There was this beautiful mall I had been dying to check out. I had heard the stores there were high-end, the kind of place where you find rare designer pieces.Interesting. I have not really explored so many places in this country and I'm working on that. Walking through the entrance, I could already feel the luxury.The scent of fresh leather and expensive perfumes filled the air, and everything was p
Reina“I will be gone for some days, sweetheart. I will miss you,” those were the words Ethan said to me before leaving early that morning for his business trip, and it felt strange to watch him go.He kissed me on the forehead, hugged Andrew tight, and whispered something about being back soon.I smiled, waving him off as he climbed into the taxi that would take him to the airport. But as soon as the door shut, I felt guilty and at the same time a little relieved. I loved Ethan. I did. But ever since we moved, things had felt different. Like Leonard. I still hadn’t told Ethan about our last encounter, and it was eating at me. But with Ethan gone, I thought maybe it was time to just forget about everything and breathe.That night, I made plans. I had not been out in a while, and part of me missed the excitement of being out with people. I wanted to let loose, even if it was just for a little while. I was not going to do anything crazy. It was going to be just a night out wit
EthanI couldn’t focus on anything anymore. Not work, not Andrew, not even the endless distractions I used to drown myself in. My mind was consumed by Reina. Her sudden indifference towards me, her mysterious outings, and the unsettling confidence she carried these days. It was as though she had transformed into someone I didn’t recognize, someone who didn’t need me anymore.The change that I saw in her made me mad and angry. She used to plead, cry, and beg for my attention. Now, she barely looked at me. She left the house dressed to kill, and returned late at night without a single explanation. When I asked where she had been, her replies were casual and almost dismissive.“It is none of your business, Ethan,” she said one night, brushing past me as though I were invisible.And that smile, she smiled more these days, but never at me. Always at her phone. One evening, I heard the door close softly behind her as she left. I sat in the living room, staring at the television, but I
ReinaTaking your friend's advice? That was a good thing to do. I sat at the dining table, absently twirling the spoon in my cup of tea. Ethan was seated across from me, but I didn’t dare look at him. I could feel his eyes on me, as though he was waiting for me to break the silence. A month ago, I would have. I would have pleaded, begged him to talk to me. But not anymore. I had decided to follow Celia’s advice. If Ethan wanted space, he would get it, more than he bargained for.“You are not going to say anything?” he asked finally, breaking the silence between the both of us. I looked up briefly, then shrugged, giving him a neutral look. “What is there to say?”His brows furrowed. “You have been quiet lately. It’s…unlike you.”I shrugged again and stood, carrying my cup to the sink. “If you have something to say, Ethan, say it. Otherwise, I have work to do.”I walked out of the kitchen without waiting for a response. My hands trembled slightly as I made my way to the livin
ReinaA divorce? A fucking divorce!!!Did I hear right or was I dreaming? Has it come to this now that he was suddenly asking for a divorce? No, no. He has to be joking. He has to be seriously joking about this. He will come around soon. I hit my head with my hand countless times as the days passed in a rush. The once vibrant and intoxicating energy that filled our home had been replaced with a heavy, suffocating silence. Ethan barely spoke to me unless it was about Andrew or something essential that he felt I should know about.Even then, his words were short and straight to the point and his tone was cold. It was like talking to a stranger.I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the framed photo on the nightstand. It was from our honeymoon. Ethan and I were on a beach, laughing at something I could not even remember. We looked so happy, so carefree. That version of us felt like a distant dream, a life that didn’t belong to me anymore.How did all these disappear in the blink
ReinaI had expected that when Ethan dragged me out, we were going to have a conversation like two normal humans. But, no. That was not the case. Ethan dragged me out and left me standing after raining insults on me. The stupid me swallowed whatever I received from him and stormed back to the house. I was deeply hurt by everything Ethan was doing and I was quite sure he was doing this deliberately to hurt me. I was seated in the house and the only thing that engulfed the house was silence. It was deafening and the only thing one could hear was the ticking of the clock on the wall.I sat in the living room with my arms wrapped tightly around my knees, staring blankly at the empty coffee table in front of me. The argument from the club was still fresh in my mind. Every word, every glare, every moment of humiliation played repeatedly inside my mind. Finally, Ethan came back home. I had been expecting him all this whole time since he refused to come home. When he finally stepped in
ReinaThe house was silent, save for the occasional ticking of the clock on the living room wall. Ethan had once again left without a word, and it was already past midnight. My heart ached, and the silence felt suffocating. I could not sit still anymore. My mind was racing with every worst-case scenario. Where was he? Who was he with?Celia’s words echoed in my head. “If he can stay out all night, why can’t you? You need to breathe too, Reina. Come with me. Let’s go out, let loose. Maybe seeing you have fun will remind him what he is losing.”“I can't believe he is doing this to me. Celia. He is acting all tough and hard towards me. I hate that he is making me feel this way,” I complained.“Look, Reina. If I were you, I wouldn't bother myself about him anymore. He is not a serious man. How can a man who has a child behave that way? Are you sure he is not sleeping around with different women?” She asked and my heart kept pounding against my chest. “He has cheated on me before, Celi
ReinaI don't understand love.At the beginning, it makes you feel all good as if that was the only thing that mattered at some point. It makes you feel like you don't want it to end but then, when everything goes wrong. Your world comes crashing down.Was this how mine was going to be for the rest of my life? I know that I was still as attractive as hell but would I be able to find a man who would get married to me at this age?I might find a good number that would satisfy me in bed and make me a baby mama but I doubt if any of them would want to get married to me. I sighed loudly as the clock ticked endlessly. Each passing second felt like a hammer to my chest. Ethan had been gone for three days. Three days of unanswered calls, ignored texts, and sleepless nights. I could not focus on anything else. Not work, not Andrew, not anything. The house felt empty without him. It was cold and lifeless.Tonight, though, something felt different. There was tension in the air. It was a diff
ReinaThat was a big flop. Ethan just told me all of that to make me feel better, I guess. It looked like forgiveness was far from him at this point. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, searching for the woman Ethan once loved.I looked the same, but everything felt different. The cracks in my marriage were now wide, and no matter how hard I tried to patch them, they just kept spreading.I had no idea what to do. My marriage since day one has not been all rosey. Now, it was worse. Were there not women having it good in their marriages? Why was mine different?I pressed my palms against the table, taking a shaky breath. This could not be the end. I would not let it be. I was not going to lose my family because of a silly mistake. I heard Ethan’s footsteps downstairs. The sound of his footsteps on the floor was heavy and loud and it felt like he did it deliberately. Every time he moved around the house, I felt the tension in the air. It was thick and suffocating. He had been di
ReinaI had made terrible decisions in my entire life on earth and this is definitely one of them. I paced back and forth in the living room with my hands trembling. The weight of what I had done pressed heavily on my chest. Ehan’s words from earlier echoed in my head: "You made your choice, Reina." His voice was cold and broken. I had never seen him like that, never felt this level of dread.I was feeling this guilty even though I thought I was repaying him back in his own coin. I mean, he cheated on me. The pictures were sent to me. Everyone knows that I am a wife to a cheat and he came in here and acted normal. I sank onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. How did it get this far? I knew I had crossed a line, but at the time, I justified it as harmless. It was not like I was having an affair, at least not in the traditional sense. But now, looking back, I knew better. Emotional infidelity was just as damaging. Maybe worse. My phone buzzed on the table. I hesitated, afr
Ethan’s POVI sat in the car for a long time, just staring at the dashboard. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel too hard, and my chest felt tight, like I could not catch my breath. My phone buzzed again on the passenger seat, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at it. Not now.I already knew what I would see.I was heartbroken from seeing those messages. I could still hear her voice in my head, laughing at something I didn’t understand.I thought I was going crazy when I first noticed how much she smiled at her phone. How often she stepped out of the room to take calls. I brushed it off, told myself I was just thinking too much. But then I saw them.They are being Flirtatious, playful, and secretive. Words that used to be ours, now shared with someone else. And the worst part? It wasn’t just any man.It was Chris.Chris, a man who she told me started to work with her in the office. Chris, who had just been around her for a few months. Now, suddenly he has beco