Chapter 1 - Disrespected! Humiliated!

RACHEL

“In this marriage, there shall be transparency and no form of cheating. Whatever I own is yours, and vice versa. If there’s a misunderstanding, it must be cleared up before anyone goes to bed.”

When my husband, Jeremy, said those words three years ago, I thought I had the perfect marriage. He was the one who condemned cheating. There was no way he would do it to me.

But alas, it was all a lie. The whole façade crumbled six months after our wedding when his new assistant started working with him. He started coming home late and giving excuses, like he didn’t realize how late it had gotten while working.

Like a fool, I believed him. Oh yes, I did. You know, he couldn’t be cheating since he was the one who made the rule. But nothing prepared me for the shock and heartbreak when I walked into his office and found him pounding his assistant on the table two years ago.

The music played softly, and everyone swayed slowly to its rhythm and lyrics. It was our college reunion, and most of our friends were gathered at the bar.

Everyone was smiling and chatting, but my eyes were fixed under the table, precisely on my husband, whose hands were roaming another woman’s lap. They were laughing and talking while something else was going on beneath the table. I saw everything, yet I couldn’t move.

“Rachel, what are you looking at?” My college friend, Sarah, tried to follow my gaze, but I stopped her before she could see it.

“Nothing. Just thinking about how everyone has changed after seven years,” I mumbled.

Sarah clutched my hand. “That’s true, honestly.” Her eyes lit up. “I’ve been looking at everyone, especially the boys, and I can’t believe the glow-up. They’re all so damn fine,” she whisper-shouted, squeezing my hand.

I nodded, my eyes drifting under the table again. I still saw Jeremy’s hand on her lap. This time, it was slowly moving closer to her core.

Sarah nudged me. “Rachel, I thought Clara was an art major.” She gestured in my husband’s direction with her head.

Clara. That was the name of the woman beside my husband. The new bitch he was cheating on me with.

“Yes,” I responded, my brows creasing, unsure why Sarah was asking. I just hoped she hadn’t noticed what was happening. That would be so embarrassing. Everyone thought my marriage was perfect. They thought Jeremy treated me right. I didn’t want them to know it was all a façade. No. I didn’t want anyone to see my reality. “Is there a problem?”

“Why did she come to our reunion party? She isn’t even in the same major as us. And why is she so close to your husband?” Sarah asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

My breath hitched when she took a closer look at them. “Have they always been this close, or is this their first time together?” Her brows knitted.

“First time!” I replied quickly, forcing a chuckle while subtly blocking their view with my body. Call me a fool if you want, but covering them meant hiding my shame. My husband’s humiliation was also mine.

“Let’s join the others over there, Sarah. There are still a lot of people to catch up with,” I muttered, standing and dragging her away.

Thirty minutes after chatting with others, I glanced at the table, and they were still there — my husband and Clara. From the way her eyes and body moved, I could tell things had gone further. My eyes stung with tears that lingered at my lids. It would have been better if he at least respected me in public, but he didn’t.

He wouldn’t be the only subject of mockery if anyone caught them fooling around in public. I would also face the embarrassment of being seen as a foolish, understanding wife. The gossip would spread to our college alumni group and might even reach the school’s news channel.

Anger coursed through me, and my vision blurred with jealousy and tears. My chest tightened. My fingers curled into fists. I couldn’t take it anymore. I marched to the sound system, turned off the music, and picked up the microphone.

Silence filled the room.

“Hello, everyone!” My voice shook as my emotions overwhelmed my reasoning. “I’m sorry I stopped the fun so suddenly. I need everyone’s help,” I mumbled.

Then my eyes fell on my husband and Clara. Their attention wasn’t even here despite the sudden silence. They were in their own world, having fun.

At that moment, my eyes reddened, and I clutched the microphone tighter. I didn’t really have anything to say. I just needed something to distract them, but it seemed like it wasn’t working. With my lips pursed, I brought the microphone closer to my mouth and said, “It’s… it’s a prank, guys,” I said, forcing a smile.

No one laughed. No one said anything. There wasn’t a single reaction. Everyone exchanged confused glances. At that moment, I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. The embarrassment was enough to weaken my knees and make me stumble.

Ashamed, I dropped the microphone and turned the music back on.

Standing there, I clenched my jaw and fists while staring at those two. I had had enough of this. All I had been running from was embarrassment, and I had already experienced it.

Without thinking, I dashed toward them.

“Clara!” I called. As soon as she turned to me, I met her halfway with a resounding slap. The music stopped immediately, and everyone’s attention shifted to us.

“Rachel!” voices rang out as people moved closer. “What are you doing?” Sarah asked.

I chuckled. “Answer that, Clara. What are you doing?” I snapped. “Do you want to leave quietly, or do you want me to tell everyone what you’ve been doing with another woman’s husband?” I asked.

Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd.

Jeremy glanced at me, shocked. His jaw tightened, veins rising in his neck. I could tell he was furious but holding himself back in public.

“I—”

“I mean it, Clara. Leave now, or I’ll tell everyone what you’ve been doing.”

Clutching her reddened cheek, she sprang to her feet. “I promise you, Rachel, you’ll regret this,” she swore before walking out of the gathering with forced composure. No one said a word. I knew they had already connected the dots, even without the full story.

Jeremy stood up, fire blazing in his eyes. He grabbed my hand and grunted, “Let’s go home.”

I snorted. “This isn’t over.”