Once Cheated, Forever Forgotten

I watched Garland’s back as he left and suddenly he felt like a stranger to me.

When I heard a noise at the entryway, I jumped out of bed, ran out without even putting on shoes and called out, “Garland.”

He stood there in the entryway, looking confused.

My heart died inch by inch. 

He didn't even notice I wasn't wearing shoes; he was just in a hurry to leave, but I still refused to give up. 

"Can you not go?"

With my last glimmer of hope, I still hoped Garland would understand what was most important. I looked at him, almost humbly.

"Can you not go, honey?"

My eyes turned red, a dull pain tightening in my chest until I could barely breathe. 

But instead of comforting me like before, Garland only frowned, clearly unhappy. "If I don't care about her, who will? Do you want to see her taken away by the police, Shannon?"

"Let's be sensible, okay? It's not like I'm not coming back." 

Garland still left.

In the empty living room, only my heavy breathing remained, along with a WhatsApp message from Rosie.

[Shannon, I'm really sorry, I couldn't find anyone else, so I had to borrow your husband for a bit.] 

A roaring filled my ears. It felt like my world was collapsing. The love and friendship I once took pride in had completely died today.

My mind went blank. I grabbed my car keys and rushed to the parking lot, driving toward the accident scene—to the end of this failed love—to make one last stand.

When I arrived, I saw Rosie crying in Garland’s arms and he comforted her, “I’m here, don’t be afraid.”

I watched him argue loudly with the other party, calling her “my lover” and “my wife” again and again, until Garland finally said, "You must apologize to my lover. She's been traumatized. If you don't address this, we'll take legal action."

In the end, he said, "I can suffer injustice, but my wife can't!"

I looked at Rosie, hiding behind Garland, her eyes filled with longing. My love and friendship had finally crumbled into ruins, leaving no trace of life. 

As this matter seemed to be nearing its end, Rosie begged him, "Can you not leave? Can you stay with me tonight?"

My nails dug into my flesh. Blood seeped out, the pain driving me to the brink of madness.

At first, Garland hesitated until the very end. But under her tears, he finally nodded helplessly and said, "Okay. But Rosie, this is the last time I'll choose you."

Just like three days before the wedding, when Garland said, "This is the last time." 

How many more last times were there between them?

I didn't know and couldn't understand. I only knew that my emotions spiraled out of control. 

The instant they turned to leave, I rushed in front of Garland and called out to him.

Then, I slapped him across the face, looking at the stunned and panicked Rosie, I threw down those words, "Garland, let's get a divorce."