A Second Chance At Love

Jessica's POV

Michael Jenkins.

The perfect definition of slow poison. I was the happiest woman on my wedding day but now recalling the exchange of vows only made me sick to my stomach.

When my father died, leaving me with my mother, I felt like my world was collapsing because I couldn't take care of my mother and talk more about taking care of myself.

My father's absence created a scar on my heart, one that left me in tears every night as I had no idea how I'd be able to survive on my own.

As if the devil was on cue, he sent Michael my way. I had gone to look for a job at a shopping mall when I met him. From exchanging contacts to frequent visits, this stranger slowly became my lover.

He took on my financial expenses with no complaint, my mother loved him to no end.

“My dear, he's a real one. Don't let him slip off your fingers,” my sweet mother had advised and she really wasn't wrong. Michael was so nice to her that it was difficult to read in between the lines.

He understood me like no one did, I had foolishly thought he was my other half. Well, technically I wouldn't be blamed.

After all, I was only a lady struggling to heal from her father's death and he offered me a shoulder to cry on. It was only natural that I'd grow to love him.

But as I stood in front of our room with the door wide open, I couldn't help but curse the day I met him.

My heart raced as I watched the scene in front of me with trembling hands that held on to a gift bag.

My eyes slowly spilled the tears I had been fighting back, my fists clenched tightly around the bag in my hand.

“What the fuck is going on here?!” I thundered at him even though I could see exactly what was going on.

Michael jerked off the lady, staring at me with black eyes that sparkled with shock.

“Jes-Jessica, you- you're here?” He stuttered as he quickly buttoned up his shirt.

I fixed my gaze on him, my blue eyes welling up in rage but they soon got replaced by shock when I caught a glimpse of the woman in my matrimonial bed.

My jaws dropped and my brows pulled together in disgust, “Rachelle? You?”

Michael quickly approached me, his face and white shirt smeared with red lipstick, matching Rachelle’s lips.

“Jessica. I-I promise I can explain,” He started while reaching for my arms but I swatted them away, making the gift bag drop to the floor.

I sobbed softly, my lips turning downward as hot tears streamed down my cheeks, “How could you?” I questioned him with a voice that sounded no different from a whine.

But Rachelle's mocking tone followed my question, “Oh please. Spare me all of that. He clearly figured out you weren't good enough for him.”

My face twisted in annoyance, I glared daggers at her, “Don't you have no shame? You're my best friend for Christ sake and you decide to betray me like this! That's so despicable! It would be better if you kept your mouth shut!”

And with that,I turned my eyes to the man in front of me. I stared at him with so much intent. I hoped that somehow he'd have a reasonable explanation for what I was seeing even though nothing he said would pacify the situation.

So it shocked me when he said, “Jessica, Rachelle is right. I don't think you're good enough for me.”

My jaws dropped and my face turned pale. Christ, what was he saying? I wasn't good enough for him and we've been married for over three years?

I scoffed as I drove my thumb over my face to wipe my tears, “I wasn't good enough for you and it took you three years to figure that out? I wasn't good enough for you and you chose to cheat on me on our third year anniversary as a way to declare I'm not good enough? This has to be the most stupid excuse a cheating man has to ever come up with,” I finished with a firm tone yet I was only an inch away from shattering.

Michael's brows contorted as he pocketed his hands into his black pants, “Honestly, you shouldn't even be complaining about me cheating because since I met you, you've only ever drained me. Both financially and emotionally.”

My heart skipped a beat upon hearing that, “But you said I didn't have to worry about anything! I asked you so many times if you were tired and you never complained so where the hell is this coming from?”

“Just because I said not to worry doesn't mean you should have sat on your hands without trying to help. When I was going through financial issues, Rachelle helped me out. It was then I realized that I ended up with the wrong woman!”

I blinked my eyes as if to come out of a daze as I couldn't believe who was talking to me right now. This was not the Michael I knew, the man I fell in love with would never want me to do any work outside domestic duties but this man right here was now demanding.

As if on cue, Rachelle rose up from the bed, sliding her arms around Michael’s shoulder while casting a disgusting look at me.

My knee grew weak as I retreated back to rest my head on the purple painted wall as I tried to make sense of this scene.

This was far from the anniversary night I had imagined. This was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives owing to the fact that I was pregnant.

Now that he didn't find me good enough, there was no need to disclose the news. The one question that bothered my mind was how I was going to take care of a child on my own. The thought of it made me sob even more.

That night became a reminder that it only takes one action to ruin a life you've built for years. Michael and I got divorced and I moved back in with my mother.

But this wasn't my end. Infact, it was only the beginning to my end.