Once Loved, Forever broken

Martha's POV

On our wedding anniversary, my husband had an affair with my step sister,Simone.

In order to celebrate my second wedding anniversary with Caleb, I put on his favorite red dress and teamed up with the employees of his company to give him a huge surprise.

However, when I opened the door, what happened inside shattered everything - my beloved husband and my most trusted step sister, Simone, were entangled together, their passionate behavior was interrupted by my intrusion, and they looked at me with horror.

My fingers curled into fists as I examined Caleb's body. His orange shirt had red lipstick smeared all over it and his buttons were undone.

‘Red lipstick?’ The thought made my eyes dart towards Simone who was still caressing his shoulders.

Pain twisted my stomach into knots, Simone was also wearing a red dress.

The tears I had been fighting back found their way down my cheeks, the realization that I wasn't the only woman whom Caleb found beautiful in red stabbed at my heart.

My eyes moved back to Caleb whose eyes were already welling up in remorse.

“How-how could you?” I questioned with a voice that was barely above a whisper.

Caleb tried to approach me but Simone kept him still, “Martha, I'm sorry. I know I hurt you, please forgive me. I can explain.”

I parted my lips to speak when Simone interrupted me,”Did you really think I'd let you live in luxury while I wallow in poverty? No way. I played this game from the very beginning! This was all my plot and I'm so glad Caleb is in love with me now!”

My eyes sparkled with unchecked anger, I didn't stop to think before snapping back at her.

“He's not in love with you! You're just a shameless woman who likes to throw herself at rich men!”

Simone scoffed before curling her red hair behind her ears, “I'm shameless but at least I'm not a delusional woman who still believes in true love. I'm glad you're like this, this is how you should always be, in pain.”

Simone’s reply fanned the flame of rage in me, my fists clenched and I started approaching her when Caleb got in the way.

“Martha please. Don't fight with her, this is my mistake and I'm really sorry,” Caleb held my arms in a fit to stop me.

All I could perceive was his minty cologne mixed with Simone’s lavender scent. Disgust twisted my profile as I brushed his hands off my body.

“I'm so disappointed in you! It's our anniversary today and you're here doing this? I was busy getting the house decorated, I spent hours making your favorite dishes and I came to surprise you at the office not knowing you're here cheating with no other woman but my step sister?!” I scowled at him.

Caleb's brows arched, his profile hardened, “I know nothing I say would justify my actions tonight but I wasn't in my right senses. I had some alcohol and she-”

I raised a palm in front of him, “That's enough! Blaming your actions on alcohol? For real? I expected you to be more responsible but it's obvious you're just a man who pretends to be responsible.”

I tilted my head behind Caleb, my eyes landed on Simone who was busy adjusting her red gown. Seeing her in this state, looking exhausted and excited left shattered me even more.

My eyes reddened as I tried to fight back the hot tears threatening to spill down, “Caleb, wasn't I good enough for you? Why'd you hurt me like this?”

Caleb tried to touch me but I raised an index finger in front of him, warning him to not lay his filthy hands on me.

“No, don't say that. You were the best wife. I just didn't think before acting, please give me a chance to explain and make things clear.”

I feigned a smile as I stared at him, “You already made things clear from this act. There's nothing to be said or done now. I respect your decision and I do hope that you enjoy your new wife.”

And with that I turned on my heels, my feet became too heavy to move. I couldn’t believe our marriage was ending like this. This was far from the dinner night I had pictured for our anniversary.

With a deep breath, I propelled myself forward and out of the building.

The night breeze washed over my skin, making me feel cold but this was nothing compared to the numbness I felt in my heart.

I kicked a stone out of my path as I let out a scream in frustration. My hands held my head, trying to keep my hair away from my face as I walked.

I first lost my mother to cancer, then I lost my father to spinal cord fracture and I just lost my husband to my jealous step sister. What was left for me to live for now?

My swollen eyes squinted as the night breeze grew stronger. I crossed the street to distract myself from my thoughts by staring at the small waves that the stream produced under the road.

As my fingers curled around the rod that served as a barricade between the stream and the road, an urge to jump down surged in my mind.

It wasn't a good thought yet it seemed like the only reasonable thing to do at the moment. After all, if I don't kill myself, I'd die everyday by the pain I was feeling until nature takes its course.

Leaning forward, the stream looked really deep, I lost my resolve to kill myself. I turned back but I couldn't find anyone around. I was by myself.

‘If you don't do it, you'd be lonely till death. Do it and join your parents’

The urge grew stronger, my heart started racing. A sound of a vehicle started blaring into the night from a distance.

The last thing I'd want is to be stopped if I go ahead with this decision.

Without thinking, I crossed over the rod. The crickets' sounds were the last thing I heard before I jumped down but instead of falling, I was hanging in the air.