The Broken Vow: The Cheating Husband

Awakening to the piercing rays of sunlight, I glanced at the nearby clock, registering the early hour of seven in the morning. With a resigned sigh, I rolled over, only to feel the unexpected pressure of an arm draped around me. A wave of alarm washed over me, a brief, panicked thought of being kidnapped. But as I scanned the room, a sense of familiarity set in. It was Hayden's room, our room when we were married.

Turning slowly, I came face-to-face with a slumbering Hayden. My breath hitched in my chest. It was him. Truly him. Tears welled up in my eyes at the sight of him so close, a tangible presence next to me. Hesitant, I reached out, my hand ghosting over his familiar features. The sensation was the same, unchanged. I traced my thumb against his cheek, marveling at the beauty of his resting face, wishing to stay in this moment forever.

Hayden stirred, awakening without me withdrawing my hand. I needed to engrave this moment in my memory. "Why are you up so early? Is everything alright?" His grey-blue eyes, a color I adored, were full of concern. Last time I saw them, they were stormy with anger.

"I missed you," I confessed. His brows knitted in confusion.

"What do you mean? I've been here, all day and night."

Shaking my head while still maintaining the intimate contact, I admitted, "But you weren't. You left me. You shattered me." His response was to take my hand, pressing a kiss to it, stirring butterflies in my stomach.

"I am here, Allison. I will always be here. I can't bear the thought of leaving you. You are mine." His words resonated in the silence.

Tears streamed down my face as I clung to his promise, to him.

"Don't leave me, Hayden. Please. I want to be here with you. Stay with me," my plea was muffled in his shirt as he encircled me with his arms. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here, forever and ever," he assured me.

Pulling back, I scrutinized his face, memorizing every detail. "I love you, Hayden. So much. I love you to the sun and back," I confessed, longing for this moment to never end. His smile mirrored mine, "I love you too, Allison. So much. I love you to the moon and back, and back around." He drew me in, our lips meeting in a fervent exchange that was all too familiar.

Suddenly, my eyes sprung open, the daylight blinding. Frantically scanning the room for Hayden, the crushing realization dawned - it was all a dream. My cheeks were damp with tears. Desperation gripped me as I yearned to return to that dream. His voice, his face, it all felt so tangible. But it was all an illusion, as fake as his love, our marriage, and the affection he showed me.

The sight of an empty space beside me was a cruel reminder. He always slept on the right side of the bed, while I favored the left. It was our routine, a pattern that I still follow. I couldn't help but think that breaking this routine would somehow unravel the world. It's absurd, I know, but it's a vestige of a life we once shared, a piece of a dream that felt too real.

I shake my head in disappointment as I rise from the bed and retrieve some clothes. Making my way to the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and the sight is disheartening. Time has taken its toll since I left Hayden. My once auburn brown hair has darkened, appearing closer to dark brown, and my once vibrant amber eyes now resemble plain brown.

Even my fair skin seems lifeless, almost resembling paper. I've also lost weight, shedding the slight plumpness I used to have, which Hayden seemed to appreciate. Shaking my head once again, I turn on the shower, hoping to wash away the memories of him and the troubling dream.

The water cascades over me, but my shower is brief. Afterward, I quickly get dressed and make my way to the living room, where Dorothy is munching on a bowl of cereal. I force a smile as I enter, concealing my sadness.

"Where did you go yesterday?" I inquire, attempting to engage in casual conversation. She shrugs nonchalantly. "Just went to this bar, wasn't really my thing. But I did meet a few guys," she replies. Nodding in response, I take a seat after grabbing some cereal for myself.

"We should head out soon, considering it's our day off," I suggest, my voice masking my inner turmoil. Dorothy agrees, stating her intention to shower and get ready.

She proposes a plan for the day: shopping, followed by a meal, and then catching a movie, leaving the choice of film to me. I nod in agreement, and she heads off to prepare while I retreat to my room to ready myself. Afterward, I check online to see what's currently showing.

A particular movie catches my interest, and I note the screening time with a smile. Dorothy enters my room, all dressed and prepared.

"So, did you find something good to watch?" she asks. I nod, a hint of excitement in my voice.

"I'd like to see a movie called 'How to Be Single.' It starts at ten-thirty, giving us plenty of time to shop first." Dorothy expresses her approval, exclaiming, "Awesome!"

We leave the house once we're both ready, making our way to the mall. Dorothy steps out of the car, and I follow suit. As expected, the mall is bustling with activity. We enter and begin browsing.

"I want to check out the clothing store," Dorothy suggests, pointing in its direction. I agree, and we make our way there, navigating through the crowd.

Inside the store, Dorothy heads to the skirts and dresses section. Personally, I can tolerate dresses, but they aren't my preference. However, in the past, Hayden would insist on me wearing dresses all the time, wanting to showcase my beauty to others. I reluctantly complied with his wishes. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focus on browsing the shirts instead. I select three that catch my eye, while Dorothy settles on three dresses and four shirts.