When Love Grew Cold

The tablet hit the desk with a thud. Agony tore through my chest, and I stumbled back. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined Miles Carter would call me promiscuous. I certainly hadn't imagined he was already cheating on me—with one of my own students. Just then, Miles pushed open the door. Panic was written all over his face as he hurried over and seized my hand. "What happened? What was that noise?" I lowered my eyes, my throat tight and dry. "Nothing. I was wiping down the desk and accidentally knocked over an ornament." At once, Miles took the cloth from my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Oh, silly, you don't need to do chores like this." His usual tenderness carried a hint of playful neediness. "I'll take care of everything around the house. Just be good and get some rest." Before I could object, he took my hand and led me out. We had barely reached the living room when his phone gave a soft buzz. He snatched it up, glanced at the screen, then turned to me. "Nora, something urgent came up at work. I need to go. Sorry, I can't have dinner with you tonight." Without waiting for an answer, he leaned in and coaxed softly, "Stay home and wait for me, okay? I'll come back as soon as I can." He grabbed his coat from the sofa and hurried out. I sat alone on the vast sofa, numb and motionless. His cruel words battered my mind again and again. I had no idea how long I sat there before my phone screen suddenly lit up. An unknown number sent me a video. In a dim booth at a bar, Miles had Paige Cooper wrapped in his arms as he kissed her hungrily. A crowd stood around them, their cheers rising one after another. Most of them were students I had taught. Several were Miles's friends. So everyone knew about Miles and Paige. Everyone except the fool he had married. As pain ripped through me, a message from Miles appeared on my screen. Miles: Baby, what are you doing? Send me your location. I stared at the message, my gaze turning cold, but I didn't reply. A moment later, the unknown number sent me the bar's location. After 2 seconds of silence, I stood and left the house. I followed the location through the packed crowd and soon found the booth. Miles lounged against the sofa while Paige sat astride his lap, her arms around his neck as she nestled intimately against him. One of the young men called out, "Miles, be honest. Between Professor Hayes and Paige, which one do you prefer? Which one is better?" The booth went silent. Everyone was waiting for his answer. I stood in the shadows, my heart contracting as I stared at the man I had loved for 5 years. A second later, Miles scoffed, his voice thick with undisguised contempt. "Do you even have to ask? Paige, of course." He reached up and fondly pinched Paige's cheek. "Nora is getting old. Her looks are fading, and she's rigid and boring. How could she compare to Paige? Paige is young, beautiful, lively, sweet, and she understands me. "These days, I honestly wonder if I was blind back then. How could I have loved Nora so desperately that I insisted on marrying her at all costs?" At that moment, the last fragile shred of hope in my heart shattered. I had come here burning with anger and resentment, ready to storm over and cause a scene. But after hearing him say that, I no longer had the strength to confront him. Fine. I was 8 years older than him. I would let him have his way and end things with dignity.