2. Unfaithful Wife

"Cheating is not a mistake; it is a deliberate choice."

- Unknown

At precisely 2 o'clock in the afternoon, he found himself lost in thought while seated at his office desk when his secretary walked through the door.

"May I come in, sir?" she asked politely.

"Yes," he curtly replied.

"Sir, I require your signature on some documents, and I wanted to inform you that you have a meeting in ten minutes."

"Cancel the meeting," he declared.

"But, sir, this is a highly important meeting," the secretary insisted.

"I said cancel it, and that's final," he responded bitterly.

"Sir, but..." she began to protest, only to be interrupted when he struck the glass on the table, causing it to shatter.

"I said cancel the meeting!" he roared in anger. Witnessing this outburst, the secretary's eyes widened with fear, and she promptly left the room.

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Ryan Edwards was a young boy who lived with his mother and stepfather. Ryan's mother had divorced her first husband and brought Ryan along when she remarried.

He was his parents' only child, and his father had fought a legal battle for custody, but the court ruled in favor of his mother. Consequently, Ryan's father decided it was best to transfer his property to Ryan's name.

Love had never been a part of Ryan's life; in fact, he despised it. He believed that love was merely a fleeting passion that entertained the heart temporarily, disappearing once that passion faded away. He had adopted a principle in his life, vowing never to love anyone, as the only person he had ever loved had abandoned him.

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"Wake up! You're going to be late for school. I've been trying to wake you up for the past half an hour. If you don't get up in five minutes, I swear I'll lose it," Ryan's mother shouted angrily.

Five minutes later, when she returned, Ryan was still in bed, refusing to budge.

In a fit of anger, she poured an entire jug of water on him, forcibly rousing him from his slumber.

"Sometimes, I can't understand you. You're just like your father. Come downstairs and get ready within ten minutes," Ryan's mother fumed, observing his disheveled state.

Mrs. Sophia, Ryan's mother, possessed striking physical features. Her captivating big black eyes, delicate straight nose, long black hair, and lips reminiscent of a delicate rose were indeed beautiful. However, her heart was devoid of compassion or empathy for others.

Despite having been blessed with a child after her marriage, Mrs. Sophia maintained an interest in engaging in extramarital relationships. Her husband loved her deeply and cared for both Mrs. Sophia and Ryan with all his heart. He fulfilled all the responsibilities of a loving husband and a caring father, striving to create happiness within their family.

One day, Mr. Edwards and his family sat together at the dining table, engaging in conversation.

"Ryan, how are your studies going?" Mr. Edwards inquired, turning to his son.

"Dad, everything is going well," he replied with a smile, showing his father his enthusiasm for learning.

Mrs. Sophia remained silent, focusing on her food.

Father and son continued conversing with each other.

"I have plans to attend a party later tonight, and I'll be returning home late," Mrs. Edwards casually mentioned during their family dinner.

She abruptly placed her spoon on the plate, her husband's words triggering a sudden reaction.

"Is this an inquiry or a mere announcement?" her husband asked, unsure of how she would react.

"I am informing you of my plans, which I expected to discuss and seek your permission for. You've completely spoiled my mood," Mrs. Lina retorted with a contorted expression, angrily rising from her chair and storming off to her room.

Ryan and his father exchanged bewildered glances, taken aback by the unexpected outburst.

"My dear son, after you finish your meal, go to your room and get some rest," Mr. Edwards affectionately advised Ryan.

Once he finished eating, Ryan retired to his room.

Meanwhile, Mr. Edwards sat in his chair, holding his head in his hands, deep in contemplation.

As Mrs. Sophia descended the stairs, Mr. Abbas couldn't help but gaze at her captivating appearance. She was clad in a striking red bodycon dress paired with elegant red high heels. Her dark makeup accentuated her curled hair and complemented her red lipstick. With her mobile phone in one hand and a red clutch in the other, there was no denying that she looked remarkably beautiful and alluring.

He found himself lost in her presence for a solid two minutes until she broke the silence by questioning his fixated gaze.

Startled, Mr. Edwards quickly averted his eyes and replied, "Nothing."

However, she confidently asserted that he was jealous of her stunning appearance, to which he immediately questioned, "Why should I be jealous of you?" He failed to understand her assumption, prompting her to proudly declare, "Because I am a very attractive woman compared to you." With a smile, Mr. Edwards remained silent, choosing not to engage in an argument.

Deciding to avoid any further confrontation, Mrs. Sophia announced her departure, stating that she wasn't in the mood to argue. With those words, she left the scene, leaving him to contemplate the situation. He picked up his phone from the table and retreated to his room.

Upon arriving at the club, Mrs. Sophia, as usual, drew the attention of everyone present. Although many stared at her, she paid no mind and joined her group of friends, embracing them and inquiring about the ongoing events. Mrs. Tina, one of her friends, showered her with enthusiastic praise, remarking on her perpetual beauty. Mrs. Sophia responded with a subtle smile, feeling confident and attractive amongst the other women in attendance.

During their conversation, Mrs. Zebi, another friend, asked about Mrs. Sophia's husband's absence. In response, she curtly explained that her husband did not enjoy such social gatherings. While hearing her husband's name made her feel uneasy, she did not want to spoil her mood for the evening.

Suddenly, Mrs. Sophia's attention was captured by a man who had been staring at her for quite some time. She smiled at him, and he waved in response. She continued mingling with her friends, enjoying their company and indulging in drinks. As the music filled the club and everyone began dancing, she joined in, moving gracefully on the dance floor.

During the dance, Mrs. Tina introduced Mr. Albert to Mrs. Sophia. She recognized him as the person who had previously caught her eye and greeted him with a faint smile. Mr. Albert, filled with excitement, asked how she was doing, and Mrs. Sophia responded in a soft tone, stating that she was good. To her surprise, Mr. Albert complimented her on her alluring appearance, describing her as sexy. Accepting the compliment with a slight smile, Mrs. Sophia acknowledged it.

When Mr. Albert requested a dance with her, Mrs. Sophia agreed without hesitation. Finding him the most handsome man in the party, she couldn't resist his charm. They made their way to the dance floor, already teeming with enthusiastic dancers. With one hand on her waist and the other on her shoulder, Mr. Albert led her in a captivating dance, causing her to release a sigh.

After a couple of minutes, he leaned in closer and expressed his strong urge to kiss her. Astonished, she found herself agreeing to his proposal. Mr. Albert urged her not to overthink it, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the sensations.

Unexpectedly, the music abruptly ceased, marking the end of an eventful evening filled with significant interactions.

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Unable to find sleep, Mr. Edwards took a leisurely stroll on the terrace. As he gazed out, a car pulled up outside their home. To his surprise, Mrs. Sophia emerged from the vehicle, accompanied by another man. They embraced each other briefly before bidding their farewells. Mrs. Sophia then entered the house, while the man departed in the car.

Upon entering their room, Mrs. Sophia noticed her husband peacefully sleeping on the bed. Unbeknownst to her, he had returned earlier and retired to bed. Despite his deep love for Mrs. Sophia, he refrained from inquiring about the events that transpired during her absence.

However, Mrs. Sophia had previously informed Mr. Edwards of her intention to divorce him and marry Mr. Albert.

The following morning, as the sun's rays filtered through the curtains, Mrs. Sophia woke up with a sense of determination. She had made up her mind and was ready to take the next steps in her plan. She knew that her decision would bring significant changes to their lives, but she believed it was necessary for her own happiness.

As she made her way downstairs, she found Mr. Edwards already awake, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in his hand. His eyes reflected a mix of exhaustion and sadness.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a forced smile.

Mr. Edwards looked up, his gaze meeting hers. He could see the determination in her eyes, and a lump formed in his throat. He knew what was coming.

"Sit down, we need to talk," Mrs. Sophia said, her voice firm but tinged with a hint of sadness.

He nodded silently and took a seat opposite her. The atmosphere in the room became heavy with anticipation as they both knew that their conversation would be life-changing.

"I've made a decision," Mrs. Sophia began, her voice steady. "I want a divorce. I want to be with someone else."

Mr. Edwards felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart had been ripped apart. He had expected this, but it still hurt. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"I see," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've met someone who makes me feel alive again, someone who understands me," Mrs. Sophia continued, her eyes searching his face for a reaction.

Mr. Edwards remained silent for a moment, his mind racing with a flurry of emotions. Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and acceptance.

"If that's what will make you happy, then I won't stand in your way," he said, his voice quivering slightly. "But please remember that I still love you, and I always will."

Tears welled up in Mrs. Sophia's eyes as she reached out to hold his hand. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both pain and a deep sense of gratitude for the love they had shared.

"I know you do, and I appreciate everything you've done for me and Ryan," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "You've been a good husband and a loving father."

They sat in silence for a while, their hands intertwined, as the weight of their decision settled upon them. The future was uncertain, but they both knew that they had to follow their hearts, even if it meant going their separate ways.

And so, their journey took a new path, one filled with challenges and new beginnings. The process of divorce was initiated, and lawyers were consulted to handle the legal proceedings. As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the once-happy home became a battleground of emotions and negotiations.

During this tumultuous time, Ryan found himself caught in the middle of his parents' crumbling marriage. He witnessed their arguments and felt the tension that hung heavy in the air. It was a stark contrast to the loving and nurturing environment he had known before.

Ryan struggled to understand the reasons behind his parents' decision to separate. Confusion and sadness overwhelmed him as he grappled with the reality of their shattered family. He yearned for the love and stability he had once taken for granted.

As the divorce proceedings progressed, custody arrangements were discussed. Both Mr. Edwards and Mrs. Sophia had their own desires and wishes, but Mr. Edwards  ultimately agreed to prioritize Ryan's well-being above. He wanted to shield him from the ugliness of their own relationship struggles and create a stable environment for him to grow, so he decided to live with Ryan but Mrs. Sophia didn't agree with this decision of Mr. Edwards.

In the midst of the legal battles, Ryan sought solace in his studies and extracurricular activities. He poured himself into his academics, determined to excel and carve out a brighter future for himself. Through perseverance and hard work, he found a sense of purpose and a distraction from the pain of his parents' separation.