65. Paris (5)

Sharon's first night in Paris, after she arrived and met Josh, the hotel felt very different to Ashley. As expected, Josh did not return to their room that night. Instead, he stayed in Sharon's room which was located right next to theirs. Ashley lay down on her bed, but the sadness that was choking her heart prevented her from sleeping. Amidst the silence of the night, Ashley could hear quite a few noisy and disturbing sounds - laughter, small talk, and above all, the sound of Sharon who was probably enjoying her evening with Josh. Every second felt like time stood still, yet filled with anxiety.

Ashley pulled the blanket closer to her body, trying to calm her mind. However, in the darkness, the loneliness and hurt continued to haunt her. It was a very hard night. Ashley thought, why did this happen to her? The two of them-Josh and Ashley-had shared beautiful moments. They had laughed together, talked about the future, and planned things. But now, Ashley felt like a stranger in Josh's life, marginalized by Sharon's sudden presence.

The next morning, the feeling deepened. At the hotel restaurant, Ashley sat uneasily at the table with Josh and Sharon. Outwardly, Ashley tried to smile and behave as if everything was fine, even though her heart was broken. Sharon, who was freely holding Josh's hand, spoke cheerfully and energetically, while Josh seemed more relaxed than ever. Ashley could only observe them, trying to contain the increasingly unbearable feelings.

After breakfast, Josh told Ashley that he would accompany Sharon around the city, visiting the tourist attractions they had planned together. “Ashley, you don't mind if I accompany Sharon, do you?” asked Josh in a tone that didn't seem like a request for permission, but rather a statement.

Ashley just nodded, although in her heart she felt very hurt. “No, no problem,” she replied in a quiet voice, hoping Josh couldn't hear the emptiness in her reply.

After that, Josh and Sharon left, leaving Ashley alone at the hotel. Ashley felt like she was trapped in a world that was very foreign to her. Reluctantly, she chose to spend time alone outside the hotel. Visiting some places that they should have enjoyed together, but this time Ashley walked alone, without Josh. Every corner of the beautiful city of Paris seemed to remind Ashley of all the beautiful memories that were now gone.

Day after day passed in the same way. Ashley spent time alone, visiting places that they had once planned to visit together. However, even though Ashley enjoyed the beauty of this city, there was no happiness that she could feel. Everything felt empty, as Josh was always spending time with Sharon, as if he was not part of this story.

What hurt Ashley the most was when the three of them met somewhere, and Sharon openly shared her intimacy with Josh in front of him. Sharon would drape a hand on Josh's arm, rub his cheek in a playful way, or smile with a loving gaze that made Ashley feel like an unapproachable shadow.

Ashley wanted to get away, but her heart was so heavy. Every sweet smile from Josh to Sharon, every light kiss they shared in front of her eyes, deepened the wound in Ashley's heart. All this time, Ashley had always tried to be the best for Josh, supporting him, taking care of him, and even tolerating everything that was lacking in him. However, in the face of this reality, Ashley felt so small and helpless.

The next evening, after a full day of sightseeing, they returned to the hotel. Sharon and Josh were talking in the living room, laughing and chatting like a very happy couple, while Ashley could only sit on the other side, feeling marginalized. The feeling of loneliness overcame her, and she felt like a stranger in this relationship. When Josh got a chance to look at her, he just gave her a brief smile, like nothing was wrong.

“Josh, can we talk for a minute?” asked Ashley in a voice that almost sounded scared.

Josh looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “Sure, after dinner.”

However, dinner never came. As they sat together, Sharon approached and started talking about their plans for tomorrow, leaving Ashley with unanswered questions inside her.

Inside, Ashley felt confused. Why didn't Josh see her? Why did Josh prefer to spend time with Sharon rather than her, who had always been faithfully by his side? Ashley felt very crushed, trapped in a relationship that was not what she had imagined.

As she looked at them, laughing together, sharing intimate moments, Ashley knew that she was feeling a sense of loss. But on the other hand, she also knew that she couldn't do anything about it. Josh had already chosen. And Sharon... Sharon was there, filling the space that was once only filled by Ashley and Josh.

Paris, the city of love that was supposed to witness their first honeymoon, instead turned into a witness to the destruction that was slowly creeping between Josh and Ashley.

It all started sweetly.

Those first days, before Sharon arrived, Ashley felt... for the first time since their marriage, there was hope. Josh started to open up. They talked, joked, even discovered that they shared an interest in art history, little hidden cafes, and dusty old books.

Ashley laughed more than usual, and Josh also smiled more genuinely. They walked together along the Seine River, shared crêpes from street vendors, and talked for hours without any awkwardness.

Ashley even dared to dream... that maybe, just maybe, they could actually be a real couple.

But everything was shattered when Sharon showed up.

Sharon arrives unannounced, with a large suitcase and a sweet smile that cuts like a knife. And even more painful—Josh lets her. Sharon even stayed at the same hotel, just a door away from their room.

Since then, Josh had hardly been with Ashley.

Every morning, Sharon was already in the lobby, wrapping her arm around Josh as if marking her territory. They disappeared for the rest of the day, leaving Ashley alone in a strange city.

Even more devastating, every night, Ashley had to hear... the voices.

Sharon's moans of pleasure from behind the thin walls of their hotel room.

The creaking bed, the whispering voices, the spoiled laughter - all pierced Ashley's ears and heart making her want to scream.

Ashley felt cheated. Lied to. Inflated as high as possible-only to be dropped as hard as she could.

For the past three days, Ashley walked alone in Paris. Wandering through small alleys, visiting museums, sitting for hours in cafes while holding back tears.

The only time she could see Josh was at breakfast.

But even that wasn't a special moment - because Sharon was always there, sitting next to Josh, laughing loudly, sulking, teasing.

Ashley felt... there was no place for her.