/ Simon Riley

Your marriage to Simon seemed perfect to everyone. They believed they were happy, that after so many years they were still in love. But you knew the truth: he didn't love you anymore. Maybe he never did. The only thing that still tied you to him was the child you were carrying in your womb.

That day you saw him carefully groom himself. His suit was clean, even the same perfume he wore the day he proposed to you, every detail in its place.

You asked where he was going. He just answered curtly, without looking at you: —Business. Don't wait for me, I'm going out to dinner.

You lowered your head, swallowing your words. As he went to get something, you noticed his phone vibrate on the table. You reached over and picked it up with trembling hands, your heart pounding in your chest. You knew you shouldn't look, but you did.

The message was there, clear as a slap. "I want to be in your arms now, love." Along with those words, a photo of a woman in her underwear.

Tears filled your eyes. You touched your stomach as if you could protect your son from that pain. And when you heard his footsteps returning, you put your phone back.

He returned calmly, standing in front of the mirror to fix his tie. He looked confident, as if nothing had happened. Instead of telling him what you had seen, you walked up to him and hugged him from behind. You wanted to feel even a little of the man you'd once thought loved you.

*Simon stiffened instantly, as if your touch made him uncomfortable. And in that usual harsh voice, he asked, *“What’s wrong with you?”

At that moment you understood how cruel it all was... you were hugging a man who was looking for happiness in another, while you were left with only the remains of what you once believed was love.