The Empress He Betrayed

My feelings were all over the place. The way home felt longer than usual, and I couldn’t get a hold of myself. A surge of emotions flowed through my bloodstream. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my fingers turned red and ached, but I was too excited to care. “I can’t wait to share this news with Carlos — it’s a dream come true. Getting this promotion has always been my goal,” I said, smiling and shivering at the same time. My hands trembled and were slick with sweat, but I couldn’t let go of the wheel. Anyone who saw me might’ve thought I was on something, but I didn’t care . All I could feel was pure ecstasy.” When I got to the driveway, I saw Carlos’s car parked in its usual spot. That alone made me smile — it meant he was home. Too eager to share my news, I didn’t even bother parking properly. I stopped right in front of the house, jumped out, and rushed inside, the excitement practically lifting me off the ground. But the moment I opened the door, the energy shifted. A loud moan echoed through the house. The living room was a mess — leftover food on the table, pillows scattered on the floor, a bra casually hanging off the television like it belonged there. My steps froze for a second. I wasn’t just shocked. I was… curious. Something in me needed to know, to confirm what I already feared. I followed the sound to the kitchen, heart thudding but face blank. And there it was — Carlos, my husband, f*****g Veronica like a man possessed. He was behind her, gripping her waist, driving into her so hard it looked violent. Her screams were loud enough to tear the roof off. I wasn’t surprised. Not really. Just… disappointed. It ruined everything. My mood, my moment, the high I came home with vanished like smoke. I stood there, watching them with disgust. Neither of them noticed me. I walked past them, opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and shut the door calmly. That’s when Carlos finally turned his head and saw me. But he didn’t stop. He didn’t even flinch. He just stared, then spat into his hand and rubbed it between Veronica’s thighs before slamming into her again, as if I didn’t exist. That moment broke something in me not because of what he was doing, but because of how used to it I’d become. His cheating, his drinking, the lies, they were just parts of him I had learned to live with, like bad wallpaper I stopped noticing. But this... this was different. He didn’t even try to hide it. He had stopped pretending. He didn’t care about me, or the house, or the fact that I was standing right there. He brought women into our home now, into our shared space, and did whatever he wanted like I was invisible. And that was the last straw. What made me decide on divorce wasn’t the s*x. It was the desecration of our home and the complete loss of respect. I had kept hoping he would change, holding onto the memory of the man I fell in love with. But that man was gone. And maybe he had been gone for a long time. I missed the sweetness, the warmth, the laughter. I missed being loved. But all he gave me now was silence, betrayal, and chaos. So I took my water, walked out, and didn’t look back. Not this time. Kate, my lawyer, and I were sitting in the living room, a silence hanging between us like a storm cloud, when Carlos walked in. “Good morning, Mr. Carlos,” Kate said calmly, her voice as professional as ever. Carlos was half-dressed, his shirt hanging open, and he still reeked of last night’s alcohol. His eyes were heavy, his steps sluggish. “What’s going on?” he asked, rubbing his temple. “I’m Kate,” she replied, rising slightly. “Jane’s lawyer. Your wife has filed for a divorce.” She pulled a document from her folder and extended it toward him. Carlos took it, brow furrowed, scanning the first few lines. His expression shifted from confusion to rage. “There’s no way I’m splitting my wealth. You think you can take what’s mine?” he snapped, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. Disgust twisted in my stomach. Even now, even after everything his first thought was money. “You should read the document properly before accusing me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Anger was bubbling under the surface. “She isn’t interested in your wealth or property,” Kate interjected firmly. “She just wants out of the marriage.” Carlos scoffed, eyes narrowing. “So who is it then? What man promised you the world? I knew it — you've been seeing someone behind my back. After everything I’ve done for you?” “Carlos, don’t.” My voice cracked slightly. “Don’t you dare try to flip this on me. I’ve been loyal to you for years — through your drinking, your cheating, your lies. I stayed. I gave you every chance. But now? I’m done. I don’t want your money, I don’t want your house. I just want out. I’m tired… I’m so tired.” Carlos stared at me for a beat — expression unreadable — then, without a word, he picked up the pen, scribbled his signature, and tossed the papers at me like they were garbage. “Fair enough,” he muttered. “As long as I don’t have to give a dime, you can have your damn divorce.” Then he turned and walked out of the room. For a moment, I just stared at the signed document. Then the tears came, slow and unrelenting. I wasn’t crying over him — not exactly. I was crying because, in the end, I meant so little to the man I gave everything to. Not a pause. Not a second thought. Just a signature and a door slammed shut. Kate moved beside me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. Moments later, as we stepped outside, Samantha, my sister — rushed toward me, eyes wide with concern when she saw my tear-streaked face. “I’m a fool for enduring this long,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not a fool,” Samantha said firmly, wrapping her arms around me. “You’re strong. And I’m proud of you. He’s going to regret losing you. Trust me.” She helped me load my bags into the trunk of the car. I turned back for one last look at the house, that damned house filled with so many ghosts. For a fleeting second, I remembered the good moments — the laughter, the warmth, the vows we made: “Till death do us part.” The words echoed like a cruel joke. A tear slipped down my cheek. Then I saw her. Veronica. Standing on the balcony, smirking like she’d won. She gave me a mocking little wave. “b***h,” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists. My jaw tightened, and rage simmered behind my eyes. I turned back toward the car and got in without another word. As we pulled away, I didn’t look back.