When Love Became a Lie

Lena smiled softly as she carefully arranged the last plate on the dining table. The small apartment looked different tonight. Warmer, and hopeful. A few candles flickered gently, casting a soft glow across the room. The food she had prepared sat neatly on the table, still steaming. She had practised the recipes for days, determined to make the night perfect. It was their fifth wedding anniversary. She smoothed her worn blue dress and glanced at the clock again. He should have been home by now, but she didn’t complain. Earlier that afternoon, he had sent a brief message saying work would keep him late, and she shouldn't wait for him. Lena had understood. She always did. Patience, she reminded herself, love requires patience. Walking into the bedroom, she opened the wardrobe in the hallway carefully and reached for the small gift bag hidden behind her clothes. Inside was a wristwatch she had saved for months to buy. It wasn’t expensive, but she had chosen it with care, simple, elegant, and practical. Just like him. Or at least, just like the man she believed she married. She picked up her phone and sent him a message. "Happy anniversary baby. You said not to wait up for you. Why won't I? Have u forgotten it's our fifth wedding anniversary? Hurry home now I made dinner. No reply came. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. As she stepped back into the living room, a faint scent of his cologne drifted through the air fresh, unmistakable. Her smile faltered for a brief second, but she brushed the thought away. "Is he back and I didn't know when he entered"? "Or am I just having thoughts in my head"? She said to herself. The bedroom door was closed. That wasn’t unusual. He often shut himself in when tired or on calls. Lena didn’t question it. She never wanted to be the nagging wife. Determined not to let unnecessary worries ruin the evening, she picked up the gift bag and walked toward the bedroom to freshen up. Then she heard it. A woman’s laughter. Soft. Intimate. Careless. Lena’s steps slowed. Her heart skipped as her fingers curled around the door handle. A strange chill crept down her spine as she pushed the door open. The gift bag slipped from her hand. There, tangled in white sheets that were supposed to be theirs, was her husband. And another woman. Time stopped. Her breath caught painfully in her throat as the room spun. Her husband lifted his head, irritation flashing across his face as though she were the one interrupting something important. “What are you doing here?” he asked coldly. The woman beside him laughed lightly and pulled the sheet higher around her bare shoulders. “You didn’t tell me your wife would be coming home early.” Wife? He said. The word struck like a slap. “Today is our anniversary,” Lena whispered, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed. “I've been home all day trying to prepare a very delicious meal for us to celebrate with tonight". He sighed and stood up, completely unashamed. “You’re overreacting.” Overreacting? Her chest tightened as tears blurred her vision. “You’re cheating on me.” He scoffed. “Don’t make this difficult. You knew what this marriage was.” Confusion and pain crashed through her. “What do you mean?” He picked up his phone from the bed and tossed it toward her. “Check your bank alert.” Her hands shook as she opened the message. Transaction Successful. A large amount of money had been transferred to her account. “This marriage was an agreement,” he said flatly. “I gave you money. You gave me peace. Don’t start acting like you’re in love.” The room seemed to close in on her. Five years of loyalty! Five years of sacrifice! Five years of believing we were building something real! She yelled at the top of her voice. All of it, nothing but a lie. Is this the reason you said you weren't ready for us to have kids? A broken laugh escaped her lips. “Then you should’ve told me from the beginning.” He looked away. “You wouldn’t have agreed.” Slowly, Lena bent down and picked up the fallen gift bag. The watch inside glinted under the bedroom light, mocking her with the weight of months of saving and the emptiness of misplaced love. “I want a divorce,” she said quietly with her eyes filled with tears. He smiled. “Good. Pack your things and leave tonight.” She turned toward the door, her body numb, her heart strangely calm. Then her phone buzzed in her hand. A message flashed across the screen. Unknown Number: Congratulations. You’ve been selected for the position you applied for abroad. Her knees nearly buckled. She looked back at the man she deeply loved, who happened to be the one who shattered her without remorse. She didn’t beg. She turned away. Then she said "I promise, you'll regret this" Her phone buzzed again in her hand. Another message followed. Unknown Number: Your flight documents will be sent within forty-eight hours. Be prepared to leave on short notice. Lena’s fingers tightened around the phone. Abroad? A new life? I think that's what I need right now after this betrayal. she murmured to herself. Behind her, her husband’s voice cut through the silence. “Don’t forget, you leave with nothing. Everything in this house belongs to me.” She paused at the door. Without turning back, Lena stepped out of the bedroom, unaware that the man who had just broken her would soon regret letting her go. She arrived at the gate and began crying profusely. Lena, who had no relatives around, just found out she had nowhere to stay for the night. Where will I sleep tonight? She asked herself. Totally confused and in despair of what to do. Suddenly, Headlights cut through the darkness and stopped in front of her. A man’s voice spoke from the car. “Get in.” "Get in quickly".