Five

Ethan

Two hours had already passed, but I was still sitting in the same place, in the driver’s seat of my car, not knowing what to feel. I was trying hard, really hard to convince myself that I could hold it all in, but I could only deceive myself for so long.

Even though I said I wouldn’t, I was tempted to go find the scoundrel who called himself Bryce and unleash all my anger on him. But clearly, I was in no proper state of mind to face him. I could end up being called a murderer tomorrow.

I slapped the wheel in frustration and cursed out loudly. That was when the tears came rushing down my face. My heart ached as I yelled out, pouring my emotions out all at once. I was angry and confused and most of all, I felt betrayed and lost.

How had things come to this? Of all the problems I expected with our marriage, I didn’t think I’d be faced with one of this sort. I still couldn’t accept that she had cheated. She wasn’t the type. She just didn’t have it in her nature to do something like this. But it had happened, and I had to think of the next move to make.

Patricia…Patricia…

What was I going to do with her now? I couldn’t even look at her without envisioning her in that bastard’s arms. What did he have that I didn’t? History? So what if he knew her longer than I did? She chose to marry me. She chose to love me. So why?

“Ethan I'm not in love with him.”

Yeah she said that. But how much of her words could I believe now? Even if it was true, how much would it change? Could I just overlook it and see it as a mistake as she said? Could we hold any relationship? Hell, could we even sustain this marriage?

There were no sure answers, obviously. What I was sure of was that things could never be the same again.

“Fuck,” I cursed. She had assured me they were only close now because they had been apart for many years. She told me there was nothing going on, that I was mistaken about the supposed feelings Bryce had for her. She told me not to worry.

Was she lying then?

I was devastated and my thoughts weren’t helping. I had to get away and find a way to forget everything even if it was only for a while.

******

“Ethan?” my dad, Marcel frowned when he opened the door. As expected, he was dressed for bed, not in any mood for visitors. “What are you doing here? At this time?”

I had roamed the entire city, stopping once to take a long stroll in the town park. I then decided I needed to let everything out, to talk to someone. I couldn’t go to Daniel, my closest friend now, so the next and only option was my dad.

“Can I…come in?” I whispered.

His annoyance turned into concern as he took in my entire state. He stepped aside, opening the door wider to allow me inside.

Even though I had made my home elsewhere, I still felt that familiar comfort of being at peace whenever I came here. This was where I grew up as an only child, with both parents until my mom left, and died later on. My dad was thus, my very first best friend.

We went to the kitchen, and I took out two glasses, pouring out brandy for both of us, although I knew my dad would hardly touch his.

I sat on one of the stools by the counter and my father took his seat opposite me. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

Now that he asked, I started to rethink my decision. Was I really going to talk about my cheating wife with him? He and Patricia had a beautiful relationship. She loved him so much. Would it be fair to her to do this?

I cleared my throat and swirled the drink in the glass before I spoke up. “Life’s hard,” I drawled.

My dad eyed me. “You didn’t drive two hours here for chit chat. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

I kept my eyes on my glass, not finding an easy way to bring it out. “Did mom ever cheat on you?”

I could tell he wasn’t expecting something like this, but he kept his composure. “I wouldn’t know. You know she left because of her career, not particularly because of a man.”

I nodded. “But how does the thought that she could have done that make you feel?”

“Where’s this going, son?”

I lifted my head and showed him my bloodshot eyes. “Where do you think it’s going dad?”

He pursed his lips and swallowed. “Patricia…Patricia is in love with another man?”

I sighed. “I don’t even know if that would’ve been better. Today, Jessica, Patricia’s so called best friend, texted me saying my wife was cheating on me.”

Dad frowned. “Her best friend?”

“Shocking, isn’t it?”

“And you believed her?”

“No, not at first. But as I thought about it, I realised we had been distant for some time, and Bryce had been a constant problem, so I started considering the possibility. That’s why I asked her to be sure, and she confirmed everything.”

He nodded slowly. “This is certainly unexpected, and it doesn’t make sense. Patricia isn’t that kind of person. Are you sure it isn’t a misunderstanding?”

I dropped the glass on the counter and clasped my hands together. “I really wish it was. I also can’t come to terms with this reality. It’s so surprising and that’s what makes it more disturbing.”

“Is it something that has been going on for a long time?”

I shook my head no. “She said it happened once, but how I can be sure?”

Dad was silent for a while before he asked. “Do you think she’s interested in you?”

I scrunched my face. “Jessica? She’s married.”

“Patricia is too.”

I let out a tired breath and took a sip from my glass. “I don’t think so. We hardly talk, and she’s not shown any signs.”

“But she being the one to tell you all this makes it a little fishy. Don’t you think it was planned to separate the two of you?”

I pushed my glass away and folded my arms. “What do you expect me to do? Forget this ever happened and live like she was never in bed with another man?”

He shrugged. “Then what else do you want? A divorce?”