Chapter 4: Jessie’s POV

It’s another sleepless night for me. I just can’t shake the thought that my husband is betraying me, and he could be planning to kill me. This was torture and my heart felt more tinges of pain every time I thought of the possibility that this could be true.

The worst of all, is the games he’s been playing if this is true. Finding my grandmother’s long-lost necklace and gifting it to me on our fifth anniversary as a cover for his infidelity? What made it harder was watching my husband of the last five years, sleep peacefully beside me at night. Could this man, who I’ve loved unconditionally, do something so horrible and betray me? What am I supposed to do if the truth is unveiled? What am I supposed to do if he really is cheating on me?

He laid motionless beside me, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of how handsome he is and how warm his arms feel. The same warmth I once believed he possessed as a person.

But I no longer feel that way.

I feel a wave of numbness com over me as I think through my next steps and where I should go from here.

My life for the last five years has been entirely about Alan, our marriage and out future children. I’d often dream of building a nursery for our first child together, building a beautiful garden, traveling together and taking family photos every year. But every last dream felt abandoned along with the remnants of fidelity in our marriage.

After worrying myself sick, my sleeping pill finally kicks in.

The next morning, I wake up alone as usual. Alan tends to wake up early for work and be out the door before the sun rises each morning. And yet again, I’m haunted by the sound of the doorbell. I try to look out the window and spot the courier deliverer but am shocked to see there is no one there. Maybe I just missed him?

I rush to the door to find yet another package in a similar fashion.

This is the third package I’ve received.

I gasped as I noticed that it was identical to the last two that had been delivered. What could if be this time? Another item, another note or some other form of undeniable truth that would make it impossible to deny the possibility of my husband’s affair?

I pick it up and push myself to open it. My hands are sweaty and shaking. I feel nervousness take hold of my heart and panic set in.

I open it hesitantly and see a picture of a man hugging a woman from behind. Although neither of their faces were visible, I could clearly tell that the woman had a bulging pregnant belly and the with the man’s notable wedding ring and familiar hand features, it was very plausible that the man in the photo was Alan. I feel my heart twist in pain as I watch my dream being handed to another woman. It was bad enough that I had smelled perfume on his shirt and was delivered the same perfume, but to give someone else something I’ve longed to have with him was beyond humiliating, hurtful and cruel. I sit down with tears flowing down my face and an unshakeable realization.

My husband has betrayed me and is having a child with his mistress. A child that I would have happily given him.

And to make matters worse, here I was, being tormented by the countless packages that have arrived at my doorstep. It was although I was being challenged.

And I’ve grown so sick of it. Today, I’m making a promise to myself to find my husband’s mistress. I cannot continue living in this state of misery and torment.