We Both Cheated, My Husband & I

Ten minutes earlier, I had texted my husband Chase Hargrove and asked him to pick up a bottle of stomach medicine on his way home from work, along with the package downstairs. He came back empty-handed. Holding his phone, he chatted animatedly with someone the entire time, smiling like a man who had just found a second chance at love. When I asked him about the stomach medicine and package, he claimed he hadn't seen my message. Then he leaned over and kissed my forehead. "Honey, work was exhausting today. I'm going to take a shower and lie down for a bit. Just eat dinner without me." Chase walked into the bathroom with his phone still in hand. My stomach twisted painfully. I dug the last pill out of the drawer, swallowed it dry, and leaned weakly against the couch while waiting for the medicine to kick in. A few minutes later, Chase suddenly rushed out of the bathroom. His hair was still dripping wet as he hurried toward the door. "Honey, something urgent came up at the company. I need to deal with it. I won't be home tonight, so get some sleep early." My face had already gone pale from the pain, but he did not even spare me a glance. About three months ago, Chase's company signed a young actress as their new spokesperson. He had personally chosen her himself. After that, he grew distracted around me. The media constantly photographed them meeting in private, and eventually, he stopped coming home at night altogether. When I confronted him and asked whether he was cheating, he showed me a bunch of toxic advice posts online. "Roxanne, opting out feels amazing. I haven't felt this free in years. Honestly, you should try it too." At that moment, I suddenly wanted to start opting out too. Right then, a message popped up on my phone. It was from a senior in college who had just returned to the country. He had asked me out several times before, but I had always turned him down. He said a new restaurant had opened nearby and asked whether I wanted to grab dinner together. I replied with a simple word. Roxanne: Sure. He seemed shocked by my answer and instantly sent over the location. After getting ready, I headed over, but the moment I arrived, I immediately lost my nerve. The place was a couples' restaurant. Every table was filled with hand-holding young lovers. I turned to leave, only to crash straight into a solid chest. "Roxanne, are you okay?" A concerned voice sounded above me. Covering my nose, I looked up and met a pair of deep, striking eyes. Zane Fairchild was dressed in a tailored suit that perfectly outlined his broad chest. His hair was slicked neatly back, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. He looked intelligent, restrained, and dangerously attractive all at once. "Roxanne?" Zane called again. I quickly shook my head. "I'm fine. You've changed so much, Zane. I almost didn't recognize you." "Do you like it?" He adjusted his collar awkwardly. "I remember you shared an anime picture on i********: once. The guy in it was dressed like this." I was pretty sure the only thing I had ever reposted was shirtless men with abs... "You follow my i********:?" I asked awkwardly, trying to make conversation. "I read every post you make." Zane guided me to our table and thoughtfully pulled out my chair for me. The moment I sat down, he handed me a small bouquet of vivid red roses. "Zane, I'm married." I declined politely. "I know." Zane sounded completely unbothered as he set the flowers aside. "There isn't a rule saying married people can't get divorced." I froze, completely speechless. Zane casually picked up the menu. "Relax. I'm joking. We haven't seen each other in years. Let's just treat this like old friends catching up." Zane had been my senior in college. He always took especially good care of me, but I later heard his family ran into trouble and he suddenly moved abroad. After that, we completely lost contact. I nodded and took a sip of water to calm myself down. Then, in the very next second, I saw Chase walk into the restaurant with the actress wrapped in his arms.