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I stand there dazed and feel like the outsider who will always be looking in.
My husband Daniel is leaning back against the side of his car, his arms wrapped around two women—one of them unmistakably Jenny, her head thrown back, his hand gripping her hip as he pecks her neck with an intensity that makes my stomach turn.
In one quick move, my friend Kelly grabs Jenny's hair. Both women scream, trying to pull free.
Fuelled by anger and protectiveness, they each land sharp, stinging slaps, not giving them a chance to fight back.
Jenny and the blonde both shout for Daniel, their voices desperate, but he just stands there, too stunned—or maybe too high—to react.
His eyes shift from them to me, frozen in shock, like he can't decide whether to step in or just vanish.
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My friend Kelly and I settle the bill and take a slow walk down the street to the ice cream parlor, letting the mood shift to something lighter and easier. I'm laughing at the nonsense coming out of Kelly's mouth, but when I glance to my left, my steps falter. There, parked just off to the side, is Daniel's black Mercedes. But it isn't the car that has my full attention.
Daniel is leaning back against the side of his car, his arms wrapped around two women—one of them unmistakably Jenny, her head thrown back, his hand gripping her hip as he pecks her neck with an intensity that makes my stomach turn. Her face is lit up, completely lost in it, her body pressed close to his.
On his other side is a petite blonde, his hand slipped into the back of her jean shorts, fingers gripping her hip tightly. She's clawing at him just as eagerly, her eyes half-closed as she leans into his chest, completely wrapped up in him.
The whole scene stops me cold, the laughter dying on my lips. It's like a slap, knocking the air out of me as I take in what's happening right in front of me.
The girls follow my gaze, their faces hardening as they take in what's happening. Without missing a beat, they march forward, instantly catching Daniel's attention. He looks out of it, almost like he's high, his expression hazy and unfocused, barely processing what's happening around him.
In one quick move, Kelly grabs Jenny's hair, pulling her back, and Jaz does the same to the blonde, yanking her with all her strength. Both women scream, trying to pull free, but Kelly and Jaz hold tight. Fuelled by anger and protectiveness, they each land sharp, stinging slaps, not giving them a chance to fight back.
Jenny and the blonde both shout for Daniel, their voices desperate, but he just stands there, too stunned—or maybe too high—to react. His eyes shift from them to me, frozen in shock, like he can't decide whether to step in or just vanish.
My heart pounds as I watch, a strange mix of relief and hurt swirling inside me. My friends are standing up for me, fiercely loyal, while Daniel, the man I once trusted, does nothing at all.
At least now I know what was really going on.
He takes a step toward me, but Jazzy steps right in front of him and throws a punch that lands square on his mouth. Blood springs from his lip, and he hunches over, totally caught off guard.
Kelly shoves Jenny into his chest, catching him off balance, and he stumbles back, eventually falling flat on his hip.
As Daniel struggles to get up, Jaz steps over, looking completely fed up, and dumps her now-melted ice cream over both his and Jenny's heads. Jenny screams even louder, making my ears ring. I hadn't even noticed they'd set their cups aside in all the chaos.
Daniel doesn't even react anymore; he just looks at me, defeated, realizing there's no way out of this mess. Jenny and the other girl keep yelling, cussing, begging him to do something, but he stays frozen, his eyes locked on mine, filled with a strange mix of sadness and acceptance. Seeing that look tugs at my heart, but I know I can't help him this time—it's his mess, not mine.
I honestly don't know what I would have done if my friends weren't here with me tonight. The shock of it all still has my adrenaline spiking. I've had my suspicions about Daniel for a while but seeing this betrayal firsthand... it's a whole different kind of hurt.
How could he do this to me, to us?
It hurts so much to know he betrayed me like this. I gave him the choice to leave if that's what he wanted. Was this what he was trying to tell me a few days ago?
I wish he was just honest with me instead of leaving me to see it all like that... it would have been so much easier to handle.
It's been three rough days since I saw Daniel with Jenny, and I'm stuck in a whirlwind of emotions. I don't know how to deal with it, to be completely honest. I didn't want to go back to his apartment and was thinking of booking into a hotel or going back to my parents. But Kelly insisted I stay with her during this tough time.
I've been holed up in her spare bedroom, and even eating feels like a mission. My suspicions about Daniel's cheating turned into a painful reality when I saw him with not one but two women – a truly shocking sight.
My phone won't stop buzzing with Daniel's attempts to reach me, and the voicemails are piling up. Every notification brings a mix of curiosity and dread. I know whatever he says will probably be full of excuses and explanations that are hard to believe.
Summoning some courage, I get out of bed and go to the window. Opening it a bit for some fresh air, I hope it can lighten the heavy feeling inside me. With a shaky determination, I decide to listen to the first voicemail, readying myself for the wave of emotions that will come with Daniel's words.
Voicemail Recording: Hey, um, it's me. I messed up, and I'm really sorry. I never meant to hurt you like this. It's just... I got lost, and I made a stupid mistake. I should've been honest with you, and I feel terrible about it. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I needed to say it. I'm sorry.
Quickly unlocking the door and booking it to the bedroom, I grab my suite cases from the closet and start throwing everything in. Finally done, I place the last of the bulky bags in the boot of my car, running back in to grab my laptop bag and work supplies, but bump into a hard chest just as I open the door to leave.
Looking up, I see Daniel in front of me with dark blank eyes, dishevelled hair, and dark rings around his eyes, showing his lack of sleep. I try to move away from him, but his hold on me just gets tighter, causing me to wince at the sting of pain.
Daniel, please let go of my arms. You are hurting me! He simply pushes me back lightly, closes the door behind himself and locks it, pocketing the keys.
I'm not going to lie, but it made a shiver go up my spine. Daniel doesn't seem like himself today, which is worrisome.
Are we going to talk now, Aria? Are you done running like a coward? I give him a look of disbelief at the audacity of his man.
Look, Daniel, there is nothing more to talk about. You have made your choice, and I can clearly see it is Jenny. I will no longer stand in your way. You said it yourself; you found someone who understands you, unlike me right. So please, move away from the door and let me go. We don't have to be angry with each other. You found your person and I'm happy for you. Maybe one day I will move on too.
The air in the room grows thick with tension as the words "I will move on too" hang between us.
"What do you mean, move on?" His voice, once familiar, now carried an edge that sliced through the room. The shift from disbelief to fury was sudden, leaving no room for negotiation. The tremor in his words was a warning to the storm that's to come.
I think that was the worst thing to say to him because he pushes off the door and barrels towards me, picking me up, causing me to grip onto his shoulders as he shoves me into the wall, knocking my shoulder into the frame. He pushes his body into me and brings his face close to mine.
You don't get to leave me; you don't get to be with another man. We aren't done, Aria; you are mine, and you will never be rid of me,
My eyes welled up with tears as he tightened his grip, his nails digging into my hipbone, a painful reminder of the mess from which I was desperately trying to break free.
Taking a chance, I shove him away from me and, because of his distracted mind, I manage enough space to knee him in the balls and deliver a punch to his left cheek, sending him to the ground.
I waste no time and grab my laptop bag and my key I left on the side table by the door. I let myself out of our once shared home. Before closing the door behind me, I give the place a last once over as a final goodbye, finally settling on Danie. The man I once cherished with all I had. I cannot help but let the tears flow. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, I lock eyes with him.
I hope you find what you need Danie, but it's not me. With that's I place the key back on the table and leave out the door.
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