A Knock At My Door

A notification dropped on my phone

“Hey bestie, Happy anniversary”

I stared at the words, unable to breathe. My fingers tightened around the phone as the painful images of her and my husband flashed through my mind again.

Then another message appeared.

“Nine years already. Can you believe it?.

That wasn’t a congratulatory message. It was a deliberate jab. But how could she be so cruel ? My mind went blank. I had absolutely nothing to say, I swallowed hard and typed slowly

“ How long, how long have you been seeing my husband?”

There was silence from her end, then she replied

“Three solid years, Darling “

“What!” she was so brutally honest, I swallow the hard lump in my throat.

“Yea, he's just your husband on paper but mine in reality. While you were busy celebrating your marriage, he was spending those nights with me”

Those words pierced through my heart like a thousand blades. My chest tightened, and tears blurred my vision as I stared at the screen, unable to believe that the person I had trusted for years could be so cruel.

My phone slipped through my hand , my eyes began to roll, and the room seemed to spin around me. I felt as though I was about to faint, so I quickly sat on the bed and rested back against the bed frame, struggling to catch my breath. This was just too much to handle on my anniversary.

Oh, now it all made sense.

A few days before our anniversary every year, Shawn would always claim he had an important international meeting to attend. I had never questioned it. I trusted him completely, even when it meant he wouldn't be around for our anniversary.

But now, everything was suddenly clear.

Those meetings were never what he said they were. He had been using them as an excuse to be with her.

My heart sank, then I realized something .

The chosen hotel isn't just the regular, it is always the expensive ones, unexplained expenses but I never imagined I would have a reason to question or doubt him.

I glanced at the time. It was already late. I closed my eyes for a moment trying to steady myself as exhaustion finally overcomes me, and I slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I forced myself out of bed . My circles were horrible as I had cried myself to bed, I took care of Claire, helped her get ready, and dropped her off at kindergarten.

I stepped out of the kindergarten and made my way across the parking lot toward my car, every step seemed heavier than the last.

I reached my car and opened the driver's door, but before I could get inside, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. My knees weakened, and I grabbed the edge of the car door to steady myself. For a moment, I couldn't move. I stood there, breathing unevenly, my head spinning as I fought to keep myself upright.

I suddenly collapsed, everything went dark. When I regained consciousness, I was lying in a hospital bed. The doctor soon delivered the news—i was pregnant.

A wave of excitement rushed through me despite the pain and exhaustion. I immediately reached for my phone and called my husband, eager to share the news. I know how Shawn has been so eager to have another baby or hasn't he.

He picked almost immediately.

“Hello”

There was a brief silence on the other end before my best friend let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“You are really shameless, do you really still think he’s yours?”

Her smile disappeared.

“Eva? Where is Shawn?”

“Busy”

The call ended before she could say another word.

My eyes remained fixed on the phone, my fingers trembling. The joy I had felt moments ago was slowly being replaced by a deep pain and sadness that weighed heavily on her heart..

I went straight home, I said to myself whatever the decision I will take , I must hear it from Shawn. He was supposed to come back later that evening but hours turned into hours and days into days .

On the fourth day, my husband finally came home.

The moment he stepped through the door, I searched his face for even the slightest sign of remorse. There was none. He looked completely calm, as though nothing had happened.

I stood up slowly, my eyes filled with hurt.

“Where have you been?”

He looked at me without saying a word.

“Why did you do this to me?” I asked, my voice trembling. “After everything we’ve been through together, how could you?”

He sighed and loosened his tie. He didn't try to deny anything. He didn't even attempt to make excuses.

“I wanted something better,” he said simply.

Her heart sank.

“Something better?” I repeated, almost unable to believe what I had heard. “After nine years together, after I stood by you when you had nothing, I wasn't good enough for you?”

He remained silent.

Those words cut deeper than any denial could have. Tears filled my eyes as I pressed my trembling hand against my chest.

“You could have just told me you stopped loving me,” she whispered. “Why did you have to make me feel like I was worthless?”

He still showed no remorse.

“So she was better than I can ever be?” My best friend?” I screamed holding him by his collar.

“Yes” he yelled suddenly his voice echoing through the room

“ She was, is and will always be better, have you take a look at yourself, “I can't take you with me to the business gathering,” he said coldly.

I stared at him in disbelief. “Why not?”

“You've gained too much weight since giving birth. I can't keep showing up to important business events with you looking like this.”

I froze. The words cut deeper than she expected.

“This body gave you our child,” she whispered.

He shrugged without remorse. “That doesn't change the fact that I want to be seen with someone who more looks presentable.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“ Why , my best friend? “ I said with a little strength in me.

He simply turned and walked upstairs, leaving me standing alone downstairs.

I remained frozen in place, staring after him , I lowered my gaze, my fingers curling tightly around the edge of my dress. His words kept replaying in my mind, each one cutting deeper than the last.

It felt as though my entire world was collapsing around me, I rub my hands against my stomach , I felt faint uneasiness settling in my stomach.

My legs gave way, and I slowly sank to the floor, wrapping my arms around myself as tears poured down my face. I felt completely shattered.

A sudden knock echoed through the house.I lifted my tear-filled eyes toward the door, my heart pounding.

Who could possibly be there at this hour?