Lose Me Once, And I'm Gone Forever

Jennifer took my husband's hand and guided it to the ribbon at her waist, her seductive intentions painfully clear.

I gasped for air like I was drowning. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't breathe.

I watched them step inside together, all wrapped up in each other, and I ran. Like a coward. Straight back home.

I lay awake all night, my eyes open until the first light of dawn, and finally, Heather called.

"Babe, you up? Work ran late last night, didn't wanna wake you, so I didn't come home. How about I pick you up? We'll go shopping! Today's on me—anything you want!"

God, how could this man juggle between two women...

And still say the same sweet words to me like he still meant them?!

I splashed cold water on my face to pull myself together. By the time I came downstairs, he was already waiting in his car.

The moment he saw me, his face filled with concern, as though it physically pained him to see me.

"Babe, why do you look so tired? Did you not sleep?"

"You know what, babe, let's skip it. I'll just have everything sent here. You can take your time and pick whatever you like."

I bit my lip, refusing his thoughtful offer.

For this last gift, I wanted to see with my own eyes what kind of "surprise" he had prepared for me.

At the boutique, he had me sit on a couch while he dashed around, coming back with all sorts of drinks—milkshake tea, coffee, everything I used to love.

But today, I couldn't bring myself to take even a sip.

When he noticed, he didn't get mad. Instead, he blamed himself.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have worked so late last night. I know you hate the cold and the dark, yet I left you all alone."

"Punish me if you want, babe. I'll accept it."

Then he grabbed my hand and tried to press it against his face like he wanted me to slap him.

But I pulled my hand away.

"I'm fine. I just don't feel like drinking."

The brand manager was watching the whole thing and couldn't help but comment like he was jealous.

"Mr. Walsh, you really are the ultimate husband' I've never seen a man dote on his wife like this! No wonder you're so successful!"

He chuckled and handed Heather a cigarette.

But Heather shook his head with a polite smile. "I don't smoke. My wife hates the smell—it bothers her."

The manager smiled awkwardly in return.

"Alright, I'll have someone bring over the packaged shoes now."

Whoever was watching or what people thought—Heather didn't mind them for my "happiness."

The staff looked at us with envy, sighing at how reality could sometimes feel like a romantic novel.

When the shoes arrived, the staff brought over a huge pile.

Heather rolled up his sleeves and knelt down in front of me, swapping out each pair himself.

One by one, he helped me try them on.

Every time, he couldn't resist complimenting me. "You look perfect in everything. Should we just buy them all? You could wear a new pair every hour."

Just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen to see the caller ID, and his expression shifted. Without a word, he stepped outside to take the call.

Minutes passed. Too many. But he still wasn't back. Finally, I got up, put on the shoes I came in with, and followed him out.

The second he saw me, he tried to casually cover the screen of his phone with his hand.

"Babe, what are you doing out here? It's cold! Go back inside, and keep trying those shoes on. I'll be right back."

"No, it's fine. You're busy, and I'm not feeling well anyway. I'm heading home."

I left so quickly that he didn't have time to stop me.

But when I turned the corner, I stopped. I stayed hidden, watching everything in the boutique.

A few minutes later, I saw him hang up, hand the shoes over to the staff, and instruct them to send everything to the photography studio.

Then, right in front of everyone, he wrapped his arms around Jennifer and kissed her. Not just a quick kiss—a long one. Deep, too. It went on for five minutes.

When they finally pulled apart, my husband even flirtatiously pinched her butt.

The same staff who were gushing over me earlier didn't even flinch.

Like they've seen it all the time.

So, yeah, I guess I'm the only one who didn't know about my husband's affair.

The shoot started, and Heather stayed right there, watching his mistress pose the entire time.

The manager smirked knowingly and teased him.

"Damn, she looks so perfect! Where'd you find such a gem?"