Caught My Husband in Her Hotel Bed

On Valentine's Day, Xavier Cole told me he had to stay late for a project and left me at home once again. We hadn't spent a Valentine's together in three years, and I had always understood how demanding his work was. I decided to buy flowers and went to his company's building, only to find the doors already locked. Nearby, in a plaza, I spotted him walking arm in arm with another woman, laughing and talking. "Darling, you always spend Valentine's with me. Is Lillian really okay with this?" the woman asked, shyly covering her mouth. Xavier gave a casual smile. "She'll be fine. I'll just bring something for her tomorrow and smooth it over." The woman subtly lifted her skirt, revealing sheer black stockings underneath. Xavier understood immediately and led her into the nearby hotel. I turned away, realizing our relationship was beyond repair, but I wanted him to regret it. 'She's used to it. Tomorrow, a small gesture and it'll all be over.' Xavier's words echoed faintly in my ears. I closed my eyes and yanked the balloons off the wall at home. Rip! The sound of tearing tape echoed as silent tears streamed down my face, mirroring the hollow love I once shared with Xavier. The balloons started the chain reaction. In the kitchen, carefully prepared meals sat on the counter, gifts selected with care were on the table, and a bouquet of vibrant flowers rested nearby. I threw the gifts into the trash and took a deep breath, finally able to calm myself. Xavier did not deserve any of this. We had been married five years, yet our shared Valentine's could be counted on one hand. This year I had free time and planned a surprise for him. Instead, his surprise left me stunned. I realized that life holds fewer coincidences than one hopes. For years, every holiday Xavier claimed to be away on business or working late, and the "proof" he sent me was nothing but time spent with that woman. I had met her once at a class reunion. Her name was Sienna Hart, and I had only known that they grew up together; no one ever told me Xavier had feelings for her. All his excuses over the years were just for her. Only I had been foolish enough to believe he was genuinely busy with work. Anger surged, and I overturned the coffee table, sobbing uncontrollably. "Xavier! How could you do this to me?" Exhausted, I eventually fell asleep. "Babe? Lillian? Wake up." The next morning, Xavier woke me. My eyes were still heavy with sleep as he smiled and ruffled my hair. A large gift box sat on my bed. "Happy Valentine's Day, darling! I'm sorry I couldn't be with you yesterday. I picked this out especially for you!" I rose, dazed, glanced at him, then looked down at the box. After a long moment, I responded flatly, "...Thanks." At first, Xavier thought I hadn't fully woken. When I opened the box, he eagerly asked if I liked it. I looked at the bag inside, tugged at the corner of my mouth, and whispered, "I like it." He beamed and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. I remembered what he had told Sienna last night, grabbed my phone, and looked up the bag online. It was cheap, less than twenty dollars. My eyes burned. He couldn't even bother to put real effort into making me feel special. "Lillian, what's with the flowers in the trash?" Xavier asked awkwardly as I entered the living room. "Xavier, I went to your office yesterday, but it was locked," I replied honestly, curious to hear his explanation. He changed color and stumbled over an excuse. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Yesterday's overtime became a team-building event. Sorry to trouble you." "Really?" I asked, emotionless. Xavier froze, brow furrowed, not understanding my tone. "Lillian, you've been acting odd. Is it because of last night?" he asked, stepping closer to hug me. I leaned slightly to avoid him, and the room grew tense. His phone rang. He answered, noticing the contact labeled "Darling." He moved a few steps away, speaking in a voice so gentle it made my stomach twist. She was his darling. And what was I? The housekeeper? I closed my eyes, knowing our marriage was over. After the call, Xavier looked apologetic. "It was the company. I'll be working late the next couple nights. I'm sorry, okay? Let me make it up to you when I get back." He tried to get close again. I recoiled. "No," I said firmly. He paused, sighed silently. "Then let's go out for dinner. Don't be upset, darling." I smiled wryly at the contradiction. He realized too late how odd it was to offer dinner while claiming overtime. Panicked, he clarified, "I mean, before overtime tonight, I'll still be free. Tell me what you want to eat... I know I messed up, darling. Don't be mad." I exhaled slowly, softening slightly. "You're thoughtful. No need, Xavier. Don't worry about me. I'm not that upset," I said. "...Really?" He hugged me, not noticing my stiff back brushing his head. "Thanks, my wife is always considerate! Having you at home puts my mind at ease." I looked at his fake smile and felt nothing but disgust. Xavier seemed to have come back only to account for his absence on yet another Valentine's Day, then hurriedly left again. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching him rush down the street without even starting his car. After a while, I quickly got dressed and followed. At the neighborhood gate, he got into a car with tinted windows. I didn't even need to guess; the flashy purple paint made it obvious who it belonged to. I flagged down a taxi and followed. Their first stop was a well-known shopping mall, heading straight for the luxury brand stores. I watched Sienna, dressed provocatively, and couldn't help but notice how cunning she was as she boldly flaunted herself just over a mile from my home. Seeing them laugh and talk together, I couldn't help but think of the barely three-digit price tag on my own bag at home. The bag Xavier bought for her was beyond comparison, and I couldn't even match a fraction of it. After picking out the bag, they wandered through various interesting little shops, taking selfies together, then ate out and watched a movie. Watching them, I felt like my heart was being cut apart. These were things Xavier and I used to do when we first got married, including the claw machine games and mystery boxes. Indeed, no matter how deep a relationship once was, time changes everything. True feelings shift in an instant. Through it all, Xavier showed no hint of impatience, just as he had been during our early years together when Valentine's Day meant I could have anything I wanted, and he was always thoughtful and utterly romantic. But after two years, his heart had shifted. Inside, I felt conflicted. Many times, I wanted to storm out and tear off Xavier's false mask, demanding through tears what I was to him and what this home meant to him. But each time, I held back. All day, Xavier hadn't sent me a single message. Only when I realized he would take Sienna to a hotel that evening did he send one. Xavier: Not coming home tonight, darling. I looked at the message on my phone, then at his slightly anxious figure at the hotel front desk, and a bitter laugh escaped me. At first, Sienna was holding his arm, then suddenly acted as if she needed some fresh air. I thought she was genuinely stepping out, until a message from an unknown number popped up on my phone. A: Can we meet? I furrowed my brow, froze for a moment, and looked up as our eyes met. I hesitated while scrolling through my phone.