Chapter 1

TARA’S POV

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

Voices came from every angle as we walked down the red carpet.

“We love you Mr and Mrs. Bryce,” someone from the crowd screamed.

“I want a husband like yours, Tara,” another yelled.

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 what went on underneath.

Our car was already parked in front of the hall.

We slid in, finally escaping the eyes of the public, then the car zoomed off.

Daniel's eyes became fixed on his phone the moment he sat down.

He kept refreshing 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, but we were only a few miles away from the event centre.

I took a peak at his phone while he spoke, 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 babe,” 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 had my suspicions but I convinced myself I was simply overthinking things.

It seemed that was about to change.

I secretly prayed that he was actually going to meet a client. My heart hammered against my chest as the car came to a halt.

BENVIEW HOTEL,

I stood in front of my car, which was parked on the other side of the road.

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 last anniversary but took it back a few months after, because according to him, the car wasn't a good fit for his wife.

Maybe he sold it.

A lady stepped out of the car dressed in a black 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, tightening 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'd 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 begin 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 blinded by love that I didn't notice. I turned, 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 were building up my courage for this moment.

And whether I accepted it back then or not, I always 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.

I clapped. Loudly. Slowly, it made them turn.

“Well, well, Mr. Daniel Bryce,” I started off slowly, wearing a smile that didn't meet my 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. 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 me. The lady stood there, quiet, like she knew I was fighting 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 pathetically.

I turned to Daniel and he didn't care. I became too weak to even force myself off his grip.

There's no use fighting for what's not mine 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.