Chapter 1

TARA’S POV

Cameras flashed everywhere as my perfect husband and I stepped out of the exhibition hall, fingers intertwined.

We walked down the red carpet and voices came from every angle.

“We love you Mr and Mrs. Bryce.”

“I want a husband like yours, Tara.”

I waved gently, blew kisses and chuckled. I played my part as a perfect couple.

My husband, Daniel waved at them with a smile.

If only they knew how many other women I had to share my husband with but still kept quiet all because of that one word.

Love.

The car was parked in front of the hall. We slid in, finally escaping the eyes of the public, then the car zoomed off.

Daniel's eyes got fixed on his phone immediately he took a seat. He refreshed his messages every 5 seconds, eyes flickering between me and his phone.

He wore a forced smile every time he looked at me.

Then his phone beeped.

“Stop the car,” Daniel instructed the driver, we were only a few miles away from the event centre.

I peeked at his phone when it beeped and Deborah had texted.

My chest tightened, I shook my head and looked outside the window, tears welling up in my eyes.

“Baby, I have an urgent meeting with a client. I'll be home late, so don't stay up waiting,” he said, turning my face towards him for a kiss but I instinctively moved my head without saying a word.

“Don't be dramatic, Tara. I need to work."

“Be good,” I said with a smile that didn't meet my eyes.

He left the car in a hurry and hailed a cab.

“Follow that car,” I instructed the driver sternly.

He turned and shot up a brow.

“But ma’am, the boss wouldn't like that.”

“I said… follow that car. If we lose him, you lose your job,” I said wide eyed and he stepped on it.

We tailed the car for about 10 minutes and the direction it took was not one that led to Daniel's office.

I sat nervous, I suspected my husband was cheating but I convinced myself it was a lie because I had never caught him in the act.

It seemed that was about to change.

I secretly prayed that he was actually going to meet a client. My heartbeat quickened as the car he got into came to a halt.

BENVIEW HOTEL, that's where he wants to meet a client.

I stood in front of my car, which was close enough to get a clear view of the hotel reception.

The floor-to-ceiling glass entrance offered a clear view of the lobby, revealing the grand scale of the hotel.

I stood in anticipation as my husband sat at the reception awaiting what I assumed was the arrival of his guest.

Almost immediately a black G-wagon parked in front of the hotel entrance. The car looked really familiar.

It looked so much like the car he bought for me on our 3 year anniversary but took back a few months after because according to him, the car wasn't a good fit for his wife.

A lady stepped out of the car dressed in a nude fitted mini dress with a sheer, layered ruffle design, fully accessorised in gold and a pointed black heel.

The driver zoomed off and I could see the interior of the hotel again. My husband was no longer seated.

The lady in black approached Daniel who had his arms wide open. I swallowed hard, and tightened my grip on my bag. My hands became clammy.

She did a small happy dance as she walked to him and Daniel hugged her with a wide smile, slightly grabbing her ass.

My knees locked. I lost my footing, as though the floor had turned to water.

“No, It can't be. It must have been a mistake.”

As though that wasn't greeting enough, he kissed her. Not quick. Not hidden. Like she belonged to him.

My chest tightened. He hasn't kissed me like that in a long time. I couldn't stand the sight anymore.

I had heard rumors of my husband cheating, and got anonymous tips that could help me catch him. I even saw ladies nude in his email but I refused to believe all that.

I trusted my husband, the tears that welled up in my eyes, stung really bad and finally rolled down my cheek.

I've loved Daniel since high school. I thought he was the one… my night in shining armour.

Every time I got those hints, I'd ask so I don't start conceiving thoughts in my head.

“They're just jealous people trying to ruin our happy home.” He'd always say.

But this… in front of me was my lawfully wedded husband exchanging saliva with a whore in a hotel reception not even away from the public eye.

And he'll kiss me when he gets home.

Disgusting.

I headed back to the car, away from the eyesore at the hotel then my phone beeped. It was a notification from the anonymous tipper. I stopped in my step.

A picture of Daniel and the lady in nude entangled just as I had seen, with a short message.

“Leave that marriage, you deserve way better than a husband that has been cheating all 5years of your marriage.” The message read.

After reading the message, it all started coming back.

From the first year of our marriage. He was never completely present. There was always something he had to do at the last minute, the hushed calls, the midnight messages, the no checking each other's phone rule.

I was too blinded by love that I didn't notice. I turned back, wiped the little tears off my face and headed for the hotel.

One would think I would cry my eyes out after seeing my husband with another woman but little did I even know that the pictures and emails from the anonymous person was building up my courage for this moment.

And whether I accepted It back then or not, I knew deep down that Daniel was a cheat.

It hurts to see my husband with someone else… yes.

But what would hurt even more is if I let them have their way.

With deliberate strides, I stormed into the hotel. Just as they were about to head upstairs. From the entrance, I clapped. Loudly. Slowly, it made them turn.

“Well, well, Mr. Daniel Bryce,” I started off slowly, wearing a smile that didn't meet the eyes.

“Husband to… Mrs. Tara Daniel Bryce, which… by the way is me.” I raised my ring finger towards the lady and she rolled her eyes.

“Thought you had a meeting with a client,” I turned to my husband who now had his hand tucked into his pocket.

“Tara, What's this?” He responded.

“I should be asking you that question, your honour. This doesn't look like a meeting with a client. Who is she?” My voice was firm, my hands placed on my waist.

“I told you to go home earlier. What are you doing here and why are you causing a scene in front of my guest?”

My eyes and mouth shot open. “I'm causing a scene in front of your guest.” I made sure to stretch to word guest, obviously scanning the lady from head to toe.

Daniel rubbed his temple, like he was already tired of my face. The lady just stood there, quiet, like she knew I was about to fight a lost battle.

Daniel approached me, grabbed my arm forcefully and dragged me outside.

I looked back at the woman he was picking over me, then she winked, blew me a kiss and grinned like a lunatic.

I turned back to Daniel and he really didn't care. I became too weak to even force myself off his grip. There's no use fighting for what's not yours anymore.

“I’ll see you at home, Tara.” His grip tightened before he let go.

“And next time… stay out of my business.”

I stood there, watching him walk back to her.

Not even a glance back.

Something inside me snapped.

He thought I would stay quiet.

He thought I would endure.

He was wrong.