The Lie That Breathed to Life

After ten years of marriage, I had always thought Ethan was just a naturally aloof and reserved man.

I realize now it wasn't that he didn't know how to be romantic; he was simply saving it all for Chloe.

He claimed he disliked public displays of affection, yet he had swept Chloe into his arms at the airport in front of everyone.

He claimed he disliked physical contact, yet he was tangled in a passionate embrace with her in a hotel room.

With trembling hands, I scrolled through the private photos, which were flooded with likes and celebratory comments from their friends.

Everyone was cheering for their reunion, hoping they would get back together soon.

I stared at the small screen. This was just a fraction of their love story, but it was enough to make my ten-year marriage feel like a complete joke.

I sat on the sofa all night, waiting for him.

He came back with a smile still lingering on his lips, which vanished the moment he saw me.

I threw the phone at him, and he scrambled to snatch it out of the air.

I just stood there, watching the man I had spent a decade with become so frantic over another woman.

He deleted all the photos, meticulously checking to ensure no trace remained.

Then he looked at me, his expression cold.

"Since you already know, there's no point in hiding it."

"I've been married to you for ten years. In all that time, I've never wronged you. I've done right by you."

"Now Chloe's back. We lost ten years, Ava. I owe her this. I need you to understand."

"Let's get a divorce. I need to give Chloe her rightful place by my side."