Chapter 2

Chapter 2

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

Ever since Jonah hired Elara as his personal secretary, his heart had begun to drift toward this girl in her early twenties.

Every time I had a conflict with her because of their inappropriate closeness, he would always take her side.

It usually ended with me being forced to apologize to her.

Two weeks ago, I went to his office to discuss a business matter.

I walked in and saw the two of them coming out of the private lounge, their clothes completely disheveled.

Through the gap in the door, I could see the bed inside was a mess. It was obvious what had happened.

That lounge was a place even I, his legal wife, wasn't allowed to use for a quick nap.

I stood there frozen, wanting to scream, but the words wouldn't come out.

Elara just gave me a relaxed smile. "Don't get the wrong idea, Meredith. Jonah was just stressed, and his back was hurting, so I gave him a massage."

I tried not to "get the wrong idea," but a man and a woman alone in a room with a messy bed?

How could anyone not see through that?

Later, I tried to bring it up gently with Jonah.

I told him that since he was a married man, he should maintain some boundaries with other women.

Jonah flew into a rage immediately.

"What are you implying? I work my tail off every day, and Elara was kind enough to help me relax. Why does everything sound so dirty when it comes out of your mouth?"

"Do you have nothing in your head except for trashy thoughts?"

I couldn't help but snap back.

"What am I implying? A man and a woman alone in a private room with a bed? Do you think that looks okay to anyone else?"

Jonah started smashing things on his desk. He accused me of not trusting him, and we had a massive blowout.

Based on his reaction, I knew he was guilty.

He wouldn't have been that defensive otherwise.

But I had no hard evidence, and I still loved him.

As the days passed, I tried to pretend nothing was wrong.

Until the day before I was supposed to leave for a site inspection. The company held a dinner to celebrate a successful deal.

During the party, Elara got wasted. Jonah, my husband, didn't bother checking on me once.

Instead, he sat next to her all night, taking shots for her and shielding her from the crowd.

My colleagues kept looking at me. Some were snickering, but most of them just looked sorry for me.

I ignored them and kept playing the part of the gracious hostess.

Maybe because I was too tolerant, Jonah took it further. After the party, he insisted on driving Elara home and didn't come back all night.

When he finally showed up the next morning, he claimed he was just taking care of her and that "nothing happened."

But the bright lipstick on his collar and the faint marks on his chest told a different story.

I chose to ignore it again.

I told myself maybe they were just bug bites.

But tonight's events made me realize I was a total fool.

Every time I believed him, every time I forgave him, I didn't get understanding in return. I just got more disrespect.

He actually brought his little mistress into our home.

That was the house we worked so hard to buy when we got married.

It was supposed to be our sanctuary, our nest of love.

And he let another woman sleep there.

No matter how much I wanted to lie to myself, I couldn't anymore.

Since we started dating, I was always the one making compromises.

I believed that every relationship has friction, and someone has to step back.

If he wouldn't do it, I would.

But my constant retreating only made him push harder.

Fine. I won't step back anymore.

I'm stepping out.