Why are you home so early? Her husband appeared from the bedroom, looking startled.
Who called? Its almost midnight, Paul asked his wife, confused.
Oh it was just my boss, Alice replied hesitantly. Theres an urgent work conference I have to attend.
At midnight? And whats this conference about? Are you sure its necessary?
Yes, unfortunately. Its one of the biggest events in our industryI cant miss it. Top experts, the latest developments
But you were just in London for an exhibition last month. Isnt there anyone else they could send?
I dont want to go either, but you know how important this is for my career. Its only for two weeks. You understand, right?
Fine, if its really that important Paul frowned. I just hate being left alone. Ill miss you terribly.
Ill miss you too, love. But the sooner I go, the sooner Ill be back. And then well take a trip somewherejust the two of us! Alice pressed herself against him.
Alright, Ill try to manage these two weeks.
Two days later, Paul helped his wife load her suitcase into the taxi.
All setIm off! Love you, dont miss me too much!
Once inside the car, Alice pulled out her phone and opened a familiar number in her messages.
Just left home. Be at the airport soon, she typed.
Perfect. Im waiting in our room. Cant wait to see youIve missed you! came the reply, followed by a few suggestive emojis.
Alice smirked and glanced at her wedding ring. Yet another lie to her devoted husband. But she didnt feel an ounce of regret. Paul was wonderful, but with him, life had become dull. With Mark, though Just the thought of him sent a sweet ache through her.
Two weeks of scorching sun, turquoise seas, and passionate nights with her loverthats what she needed now. The conference was just an excuse to keep Paul in the dark.
She knew what she was doing was wrong, but reason was powerless against what awaited her.
The island was paradise. Alice lounged on the beach, soaking in the atmosphere, watching the shimmering waves. She was blissfully happy beside Mark.
She looked at himhis sculpted muscles glistening as he stepped out of the water. The sight of his wet body drove her wild. She wanted to drag him back to their room, where they could lose themselves in each other.
A pang of sadness hit her. These were their last days together. Shed told her husband she was at a work conference, getting some much-needed restfrom him, too, though shed only thought that part.
She wasnt planning to divorce him immediatelynot until she had a solid backup plan.
Mark, she asked, do you think we could make this work? After I leave Paul?
The broad-shouldered man settled onto a lounger, draping a towel over his shoulders. He traced her knee with his rough hand before leaning back, leaving his palm resting on her.
Itll be fine. Just get everything sorted firstmaybe hire a lawyer. Dont expect things to work out smoothly otherwise.
She didnt like his lack of faith. Shed hoped that once she divorced Paul, shed move in with Mark, and theyd spend weeks tangled up in each other, finally happy.
That evening, they went to a restaurant to celebrate their last night on the island. Alice sipped wine, murmuring sweet nothings to her lover, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the difficult conversation awaiting her with Paul.
To Alice, Paul was a foola mamas boy, a pushover who couldnt see his wife cheating without a shred of guilt. But divorce might be a disaster, especially if his mother got involvedcourt battles could drag on forever.
Soon, Ill be divorced, moving in with you, and everything will be perfect, Alice said, raising her glass.
Uh, nothat was never part of the deal.
Alice froze. She realized theyd never actually discussed it. A cold shock ran through her.
We had a great time, sure, but theres no moving in. I have a wife and two kidsdid I never mention that?
The world tilted. Alice could only shake her head slowly, watching his every move, the man shed fallen head over heels for in just two weeks.
Want to divorce your husband? Go aheadnot my problem. But Im not wrecking my family. Everythings fine as it is.
Alice was speechless. The rest of the dinner passed in silence as she grappled with the reality. The next day, they left for the airport.
Alice, dont overthink it. I never promised you anything. We had a holidaythats all. Besides, my wifes about to have our third. Time to be a proper family man.
Right, she muttered, wishing she could tear him apart for the false hope hed given her.
But he was righthed never promised anything. The future shed imagined was just her own fantasy.
The flight home was agony. Alice sat in silence, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. She hadnt felt such crushing disappointment in years.
Youre really not going to leave her?
Alice, no sane man leaves his wife for his mistress. If you cheat with me, youll cheat on me. I dont need that. My familys happyweve got kids, another on the way. I dont want you permanently, even if it hurts to hear. Thats life, sweetheart.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Usually, his kisses melted her, but now she wanted to slap himmake him feel even a fraction of her pain.
When the plane landed, he called two taxis.
Alright, Alicewell talk.
No, we wont, she said without looking at him.
She half-expected him to chase after her. But Mark just shruggedhe didnt care anymore. The taxis drove off in opposite directions.
Alice choked back tears. The future shed imagined was gone. She had to go home, patch things up with Paul, pretend their marriage still meant something. She couldnt bear to be alone.
Shed never lived alonealways jumping from one relationship to the next. Being alone felt like being unloved, abandoned.
This trip would stay with her forever. But now she had to face reality: go home, end the affair, and salvage what was left of her marriage. All those men had been temporary distractionsnone of them had offered her a future.
The taxi stopped outside her building. She dragged her suitcase inside, rehearsing what shed say to Paul. Maybe they could talk, see a therapist, get away togethersomehow rekindle what theyd lost.
She slid her key into the lock, turned it twice, and pushed the door open. What she heard next struck her like lightning.
Why are you home so early? Paul emerged from the bedroom, startled.
Alice shoved past him, storming into the bedroomwhere a woman scrambled to cover herself with the duvet.
Instinct took over. Alice yanked her off the bed, and a full-blown fight erupted before Paul finally pulled her away.
How dare you?! Alice screamed, struggling against his grip. Im working, youre bringing women home?! I hate you both!
The terrified woman grabbed her clothes and fled, still pulling on her dress as she bolted down the stairs.
Only when Alice went limp did Paul release her.
I thought youd be waiting for methat wed celebrate my return! And you bring her here?! You think you can replace me?!
I know you werent at a conference, Paul said coldly. You were on holiday with Mark. And while you were gone, I made plans of my own.
Alice searched his eyes, hoping for an explanationanything to make forgiveness easier. Instead, she packed her things in silence and left.
An hour later, she was sobbing on her best friend Emilys lap, staining her pink dress with tears.
All couples go through rough patches, Emily soothed. Real love is about forgiveness.
Alice didnt understand how she could forgive betrayal. Shed sworn she never would. Yet here she was, crying, wondering if she could.
By morning, forgiveness didnt seem impossible. Theyd both hurt each other. Were these really the same people whod once promised forever?
So? Emily pressed.
Ill see him tomorrow. Well talk.
Good. And dont mope for months. Youre starting freshnow you both know how it feels to risk losing everything. Youll make up, trust me! Maybe even have kidsIll see you at the christening!
Alice didnt believe her. How could they rebuild a marriage if love was gone? But theyd been happy oncemaybe they could find their way back.
The next day, she stood outside Pauls door, rehearsing her words.
He let her in without a word, made tea, and finally spoke.
Ive thought about it. We should try again. We hurt each other, but I think we can make this work.
Alice was stunned. Paul took her hands in his.
Lets forgive each other and move on. I wasnt the perfect husband, but I want to fix that. Well get a bigger place, start a family. And well never do this to each other again.
Alice couldnt speak. She collapsed against him, weeping.
Somehow, their marriage grew stronger. They talked more, planned their future. Neither dared think of straying again.
Alice didnt know how long it would last. But she hopedthis timetheyd fight to keep it alive.
