The Rain on the Mountaintop Washed Away Our Marriage

Seeing the peanut butter on top, Robert finally seemed to remember something.

"I forgot... never mind, I'll order you something else."

He'd barely pulled out his phone before Philippa suddenly looped her arm through his.

She cooed, "I can't stand the smell of antiseptic in here. Walk with me outside, will you?"

Robert glanced at me, looking a little caught.

"Go."

I tossed the porridge into the trash and pushed the window open.

He still hesitated, but he was no match for Philippa's wheedling.

"I'll be right back," he said, and hurried out.

That "right back" turned into more than an hour.

I ordered my own delivery, and once the IV was done, I went to find the doctor for a prescription.

He looked up at me a few times. "That man just now. Your husband?"

"Ex-husband."

"That explains it. The woman with him is a regular here. Your ex even came in once to take her for an abortion."

He handed me the prescription along with his phone.

"Leave me your number. If anything feels off, you can reach me anytime."

I saw the hope at the back of his eyes and nodded, understanding completely.

After I got home, a message from Robert came through.

"Something urgent came up at the company, so I can't stay with you. If you're not feeling well, just text me and I'll come see you right away."

At the same time, some stranger on my friends list posted an update.

"Office play, so much fun!"

In the photo, Philippa's chest was half-bared as she leaned softly against Robert.

Behind them was a used condom.

What that "urgent matter" really was needed no explanation.

Goosebumps crawled across my whole body.

I went straight back for an STD screening.

The doctor heard me out, then kindly bought me a cup of coffee.

It loosened the knot in my chest a little.

But when I got home, I froze.

The tiny apartment was packed with people.

Both sets of parents, Robert, Philippa. Every one of them turned to look at me.

Robert stared at the divorce agreement in front of him, his eyes rimmed red.

Philippa watched me with her arms crossed.

"I've never met anyone as shameless as you. Robert treats you so well, and you're out there throwing yourself at other men."

My mother was holding the photo of me and the doctor having coffee.

"What is going on here? Robert says you cheated during the marriage and that you're the one demanding the divorce. Haven't the two of you always been so happy?"

Charlene Whitney slammed her hand down on the table. "Divorce! A two-timing woman like this. Our family doesn't want her."

"No wonder you've never gotten pregnant all these years. If you ask me, it's because you've been so loose, you let yourself get ruined!"

The whole crowd talked over one another.

Heaping every vicious, filthy word they could think of onto me.

I shot Robert a look and choked back my fury.

"Robert, don't twist black into white and play the victim first."

"You think I don't know about everything you've been doing behind my back?"

"I was going to leave you a little dignity. But since you have no shame, don't blame me for showing none either!"

I took a box out of the bedroom.

The day I moved out, I'd found a secret even more shocking than his affair.

I'd held it in this whole time, waiting for the right moment.

Now, the moment had come.