The Jilted Wife's Redemption

Chapter 1

KAIA REYES POV

The glittering lights and champagne toasts seemed to fade into the background as I stood alone, surrounded by the festive cheers and countdown echoes of the New Year's Gala, my phone clutched in my hand, the text from my husband still glowing on the screen.

"I'll be there soon."

But soon was starting to feel like an eternity.

I caught a glimpse of my mother in law amongst the crowd and I quickly approached her to ask if she had seen her son - my husband.

"Ma..." I called out and she briefly scanned me from head to toe. Obviously judging my long fiery, red dress. I wasn't her favorite.. never have been so I didn't bother her look getting to me.

"Happy New Year Ms Jenson. You look Amazing." I complimented, not minding the look of disgust she had on.

"And why is your husband not with you?". I smiled as boldly as I could, not letting the fact that she ignored my greeting to ask for her son get to me.

"That was why I came to you ma. He told me he'd meet me here and I was wondering if you had seen him around."

"And why would I if you haven't?" She snapped.

It was nothing new, I was used to her being harsh to me for the past 3 years I've been married to her son.

As I turned to walk away , I sighted my husband just in time. "Caleb Jenson" the man who I had called mine for the past three years had just made his entrance into the hall and he was walking straight to me - or his mother. But I chose to believe he was walking to me.

"You're Here. Happy New Year My Love, you look dazzling in your suit.. I see it's new." I opened my arm slightly to give him a hug but he stylishly stopped me and rather pecked my cheeks.

'Weird'

"Thank You. Alessia picked it out for me." He shamelessly replied me and it was until now that I noticed he wasn't alone.

"Hello Kaia. Compliment of the season." Alessia, who was holding my husband's arm the whole time like they were a couple greeted me.

Caleb already moved forward and was speaking to his mother. I recognized Alessia, I mean - why wouldn't I recognize my husband's cling?

"Hello Alessia" I muttered , making sure she could barely hear me before turning to my husband's direction..

The rest of the evening wasn't what I would call perfect, infact... I hated it. With Alessia and Caleb's mum there, sure It'd be too much for me to handle.

Alessia is always around my husband like he was hers. And my husband couldn't help but always be a puppy around her. "Oh Alessia hurt her ankle, oh Alessia this, Alessia that."

But I couldn't complain. It wasn't in my place to , otherwise I'd end up making him angry and I would be considered as selfish.

It was time to go home when I heard my husband dismissing his mother and promising to take care of Alessia. I scoffed, of course she loves Alessia.

I waited till she was gone, without a single word to me. And then I waited to hear Alessia say she was leaving too but she relaxed, right by my husband with I sat opposite them. Like a guest.

"Caleb.. it's getting late, let's go home." I finally spoke.

"Oh, about that... Alessia didn't come here with her car so I'll have to drive her back to her apartment. So you'll have to head home first, don't wait up tho." My husband shamelessly told me, oh I could feel the fake sad face Alessia set on.

I wanted to crush her, I wanted to tell her to stay away cause he was mine - but I kept quiet.

"I didn't come with my car either. Besides, Alessia can book a ride home or we both can just drop her off and head back together, I have no problem with that." I suggested..

"C'mon, don't be selfish Kaia. I invited Alessia here and couldn't possibly let her take a ride, she's scared of strangers."

"Yes Kaia. I'm sure I'm more safe with Caleb here, he takes better care of me." Alessia chipped in, foreigning a baby voice. I rolled my eyes..

"You and I know you don't like Alessia, you'll make her uncomfortable in the car and I don't want that. C'mon this is nothing, book a ride and go home. I'll meet you when I'm back."

I watched as my husband stood up and took Alessia's hand, Leading her away from the hall. He sure was always gentle with her, like she was a baby... A very fragile one at that.

Ever since Alessia came into the picture a year and two months ago, my marriage has never been the same. I preferred when she was outside the country and it was just phone calls and texts. With her around, my marriage had become impossible and it is now becoming too hard for me to cope.

___________

It was not until after midnight that I finally heard the door of our room opened , I could already tell it was my husband considering how his cologne filled the air.

That particular cologne wasn't always his favorite, but lately it had been, all cause Alessia had bought it for him. I had to get used to him having that smell.

"Welcome." I greeted him as he lazily fall on the bed. Muttering about how tired he was. I checked my phone by the lamp side and it was 12:48pm.

"I told you not to wait up." He started, unbuttoning his shirt. I was now sitting on the bed rather.

"I couldn't, though I slept off couple of times but I keep waking up at each sounds. I can't sleep knowing my husband is out there with another woman." I was making sure my statement was direct and arranged.

"Alessia.. isn't any other woman."

I hated how he always protects her, it was as if she was someone who could never do wrong. I ignored continuing the conversation and went to help him take off his shirt.

"You've been drinking too." I noticed when he sighed.

The room light was dim but as I was taking the shirt off, I could see something on his neck. It was too bold and reddish to get past me. I held back my tears.

I didn't want to believe he's now also cheating on me... With her.

"I see you both did enjoy your night." I muttered, taking his shoe off and heading to the rack.

"I don't know what you're talking about and if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep. I'm tired."

I watched as my husband led on the bed, without a single care in the world about how I was feeling. If you wondered what I've done so far about Alessia , I'll tell you.

"A lot" I've tried everything I could but instead, it made me the villain. I couldn't lose my husband, he had threatened to divorce me if I nag him about Alessia again. To him, he believes I should trust him and believe in him. But how long could a woman hold on till she loose it?

I went and lay on my side of the bed, my heart heavy but I couldn't cry. Caleb wrapped his hand on my body and draw me closer to him, kissing my neck.

"I love you..." He said, but it didn't feel true. I didn't feel the warmth, the security, the love that those words used to bring.

But still, I clung to them. At least he still said them, I thought.

It was enough to help me sleep, wrapped in his arms.