Anniversary Betrayal

Leona stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom, fixing the strap of her red dress. It was soft and silky under her fingers, the color bold but warm. 

She had picked it out days ago, thinking of him. He used to love red. Used to say it made her look strong and soft at the same time. Maybe he still thought that. Maybe tonight he’d say it again.

She gave herself one last look. Her hair was done, her makeup light, just the way he liked it. She touched the small silver earrings he gave her on their fifth anniversary. It felt like a lifetime ago.

The clock on the wall read 8:23 p.m.

He was late.

Leona walked out of the room and into the dining area, heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor. The table was already set. Two plates. Two wine glasses. A bottle of red wine waited in a silver holder. She bent over the last candle in the center and lit it carefully. The small flame danced and threw soft light across the table.

The room looked perfect. The food was still warm. She had made his favorite, lemon rosemary chicken, with mashed potatoes and garlic butter green beans. She had even baked a small cake. Everything smelled like home.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of trying, loving, and forgiving.

And tonight, she wanted it to feel new again.

She picked up the gift box from the side table and opened it. Inside was a silver watch, simple but expensive. On the back, it was engraved:

Forever Yours.

Leona closed the box gently and sat down at the table. She folded her hands in her lap and waited. Every few minutes, her eyes went to the clock again.

8:35.

8:47.

8:59.

Her chest felt tight, but she stayed seated.

9:02 p.m.

Still no message or call from him. He couldn't possibly have forgotten, could he?

She picked up her phone and stared at the screen. Nothing. Not even a “running late.” message.

Her fingers tightened around the phone as something heavy settled in her chest. It felt like a slow ache, like her heart was waiting for something it didn’t want to admit.

She stood up.

No. Something wasn’t right. Her gut told her something else.

She slipped her phone into her clutch, grabbed her coat and keys, and walked toward the door. The candles were still burning as she left, their soft light flickering behind her.

The night was cool. Clouds covered the sky, but the rain hadn’t started yet. The wind made her pull her coat tighter around her. Her heels clicked louder now as she rushed to the car.

Her heart beat faster the closer she got to his office building.

The lights were on upstairs. Of course they were. He always worked late. Always told her he was chasing their dream, their empire. But somewhere along the way, it had stopped feeling like theirs.

She parked the car and got out. Her hands were shaking slightly as she walked up the steps.

The guard at the front desk gave her a small nod. “Good evening, Mrs. Hart.”

She smiled tightly. “He’s still up there?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She didn’t bother to ask for permission. She took the elevator to the top floor, her stomach in knots the entire ride up. The doors opened to silence.

The office was dim except for the warm lights spilling out from his private room. She walked toward the door, her breath catching in her throat.

She didn’t knock or call his name, she just opened the door.

And then she froze.

There he was, Dorian.

But not behind his desk. Not pacing with a phone in hand. Not typing out emails like he always did.

He was on the couch, with a woman on his lap. Leona’s world seemed to stop moving.

The woman’s blouse was half open. Her lipstick was smudged. Dorian’s hands rested on her waist like they’d been there for a while. His tie was loose. His shirt was wrinkled.

They didn’t even flinch when the door opened.

The woman turned her head, her long hair falling over her shoulder.

Leona blinked once. She knew that face.

Selene. Her sister, her own family.

Dorian looked up. His eyes met Leona’s. No guilt. No shock. Just… tired. As if she was the one causing a problem.

He sighed. “You weren’t supposed to see this.”

His voice was calm. Like she’d walked in on him fixing his tie. Like this was nothing, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Leona felt the floor tilt. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Her heart pounded in her ears. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“I made dinner,” she whispered. It was the only thing she could think to say.

Dorian stood slowly, fixing his shirt like it mattered. “Leona…”

“Don’t,” she said, holding up a shaky hand. “Just… don’t.”

Selene didn’t move. She didn’t even try to hide. She stood beside him, close, her hand brushing his, and she smiled.

Leona looked at her, then at Dorian.

Ten years.

Ten long years.

She had given him everything. Stayed through the worst parts. When they had no money. When he couldn’t sleep. When he failed and tried again. She believed in him when no one else did. Even her parents said he was too cold, too focused, too full of himself.

She didn’t listen.

And now?

Now he stood there with another woman, like it was normal. Like it didn’t break everything inside her.

She felt the tears building, but she wouldn’t let them fall. Not here. Not in front of them.

She stepped back.

One step. Then another.

And then she turned and walked away.

Out of the office, and down the hallway, till she walked into the elevator.

Her fingers hovered over the buttons, her breath shaky. She stared at her reflection in the silver door. She looked like someone else. A stranger in a red dress. Her makeup still perfect, but her heart was broken.

The elevator reached the ground floor. She walked past the guard without a word. Out the front doors.

And into the rain.

It had started while she was inside.

Cold drops hit her skin. Slow at first. Then faster. Her hair was soaked in seconds. Her coat stuck to her arms. The wind was colder now. The world looked blurry, not just from the water, but from the pain.

She reached her car and opened the door. Her hands were cold. Her fingers shook as she gripped the wheel.

She sat there for a long time, without starting the cars engine. She didn’t cry.

The pain in her heart didn't stab her, it burned her, like a fire that couldn't be quenched. It felt as if something was dying right inside of her.

She thought about the way he used to hold her. The way he used to kiss her forehead when she was tired. The way he promised he’d never hurt her.

It all felt fake now.

A part of her still wanted to ask why. Still wanted to scream, to beg, to hit something. But another part, a stronger part, knew this wasn’t new. It had been coming for a while.

She just hadn’t seen it, or maybe she had.

And didn’t want to believe it.

She looked down at her hands. The ring on her finger still sparkled in the dim light, she slid it off slowly and placed it in the glovebox.

Her fingers felt bare now, but lighter at the same time.

She had given him ten years of her life and yet he gave her nothing but lies.

She took a deep breath and started the car.

As the engine came to life, the rain hit harder, tapping fast against the roof like a warning. Like the sky wanted to say, 'You sa

w what you needed to see. Now go.'

Leona looked straight ahead, the tears finally spilling from her eyes.

She had loved him.

But love wasn’t enough.