He Took Her to Bed, I Sent Them to Hell

It all started the day I discovered Anthony Rivera's affair. It was just an ordinary Friday.He came home after his usual research group meeting, but then collapsed from stomach pain. His clothes reeked of barbecue smoke and spices. Anthony had a sensitive stomach and never ate heavily seasoned food.I contacted his teaching assistant, Nolan Robson, and that was when I learned a new student had joined the group that day. Anthony had taken her out for barbecue, following her suggestion."It's nothing serious," I said over the phone. "It's just that your professor has a delicate stomach. Please don't let him eat things like that anymore."The voice on the other end hummed in acknowledgment, then hesitated. "Mrs. Rivera, actually... Sienna doesn't even meet the qualifications to join the group."A sickening realization hit me.Anthony was lying in bed resting. He must have been in considerable pain because his brows were still furrowed. After years of marriage, we knew each other to

"Brielle, I'm giving you a chance. Go out there and explain."Anger clouded Anthony's face. I found it almost funny. In this marriage stained by infidelity, I was the one who should be furious.But I hadn't collapsed in grief. I hadn't wallowed in self-pity. I'd chosen to fight back instead of suffering in silence. And somehow, that made Anthony and Sienna the victims?"What do you want me to say?"That I was betrayed by the girl I sponsored and raised? That my husband slept with his student, his adoptive daughter in name?"I looked up at him. Time had been kind to Anthony. 20 years had barely left a mark on his face."Brielle, drop it before things get worse." Anthony frowned.There it was again. That same phrase.What exactly did I have to show for any of this? My husband treated me with cold contempt, and the girl I'd raised as my own daughter had crawled into bed with him. All I'd gotten was a front-row seat to their cruelty and betrayal."Anthony, you have no right to tel

I threw a stack of photos onto the floor. These were the intimate photos Sienna had sent me countless times to provoke me, pictures of her with Anthony. Since they wanted proof, I'd give them all the help they needed.The reporters frantically photographed the scattered images. Anthony tried to shield Sienna while also blocking the photos, unable to manage both at once."Brielle!" Anthony's voice was venomous.I had no patience for his theatrics. I turned to a nearby reporter and asked if he'd captured footage of me hitting Sienna.He nodded, stunned.I smiled back. "Make sure you send me a copy."An occasion like this deserved to go viral.…Anthony only agreed to see me again because Dr. Zuber arranged it. Dr. Zuber and his wife had always taken credit for our marriage, claiming it was thanks to those weekly flowers.Over the years, Dr. Zuber had personally mentored and promoted Anthony. Professionally and personally, he didn't want to see us tear each other apart like this.

I should have been numb to it by now. After all this time, I thought I'd fully processed Anthony and Sienna's affair. But I was wrong.I clenched my trembling hands, trying to stop the shaking from rage. When he said the word "divorce," my scalp prickled. I bit down on my lower lip until the metallic taste of blood spread through my mouth.It took me a long time to find my voice."Anthony, I won't divorce you. If she wants to be a mistress, she can stay a mistress forever. Her child will be nothing but an illegitimate bastard living in the shadows!"I smashed everything in sight. I tore up every document on his desk. I vented all my rage right in front of him.In the reflection of Anthony's dark eyes, I saw myself. I looked feral, unhinged."This isn't over! Whichever hospital she gives birth in, I'll make sure everyone there knows she's a homewrecker. Whichever school her kid attends, I'll make sure he gets called a bastard from day one!"I don't care if you're dead and your es

After that, I saw Anthony three times.The first time, I watched security guards chase him away from Clearview University's gates.The second time, I drove home to find him waiting at my door in tattered clothes. Of course, I didn't say a single word to him.The third time, he sat in the defendant's chair while I sat in the gallery.Over the years, Anthony had used his position as a Clearview professor to do plenty of shady deals. The people backing him, worried about being exposed, struck first and pinned all the blame on Anthony alone.Everyone kicked him while he was down. As Anthony was convicted and led away, his eyes found mine. His lips trembled as he mouthed something from across the room.It looked like he said, "I'm sorry."Did he truly regret it? No, he didn't.If I'd given in and let him live happily ever after with Sienna, maybe one day he would have seen through her. But by then, they'd have a houseful of children.He might tolerate everything for their sake, or