The Empty Space
924 Words
A delivery truck stopped right in front of an empty house right next to mine. The house had been empty for quite some time since the owner moved out and decided to sell it.
"Looks like someone's already moved in!" I muttered as I watched the delivery truck pull through the gate.
I started my car again and stopped right in the garage. I could hear the barking of Snowee, my male golden retriever. He ran over to greet me as usual.
"Sorry, honey, you're lonely now that I'm working, aren't you?"
"Woof... woof..." Snowee barked happily, wagging his tail. Even though Jerry the cat was home, Jerry preferred to wander around rather than spend hours with Snowee in the yard.
I opened the door and stepped inside, which felt as quiet as usual. I once dreamed of building a happy family, raising my children in this house. But it seems that dream will not come true, considering that Simon is getting further and further away from me.
While I was still lost in my thoughts, the door suddenly opened. I was startled and immediately turned around.
"Simon?" I said as I saw Simon step into the house, wearing different clothes than the ones he'd worn the night before to meet Erika Gonzales.
Simon looked at me with a guilty expression. He stood in front of me and gently touched my face.
"Have you treated your wound?" He asked seriously, confusing me as to why he suddenly cared about me.
I stood still, not knowing how to react to his touch like this. I still remembered how he slapped me so hard last night, leaving me bruised and bleeding while he was more concerned about another woman.
"I'm fine," I replied briefly. My body felt stiff and it became difficult to move, as if I were afraid he would suddenly slap me again.
However, he kissed my lips gently as if nothing had happened. His arms wrapped around me, and his head lowered to be closer to mine, even though I was only 162 cm.
When the kiss broke, our eyes met. He looked at me with a passion I knew all too well. He was my husband, the man I'd been with for seven years. I felt a pang in my heart for what he'd done to me all those years. But somehow, I couldn't hate him.
"I'm sorry, my love! I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm so sorry, please forgive me!"
Simon whined, just like he did when he forgot our anniversary almost every year. He'd apologize and regret it, but the next year, he'd forget special days for me that we should have celebrated together—our anniversary and mine, for some reason. But strangely, he never forgot his mother's birthday or his own. I felt like I was the last person he'd remember or prioritize.
I tried to pull away from his embrace, feeling a little uncomfortable now. He still owed me an explanation about where he'd been all night and what his relationship with Erika Gonzales really was.
"I'm tired, Simon! I want to take a shower!" I said, trying to politely decline.
"Why do you always discourage me every time I want to touch you?"
"I'm just tired because I just got home from work, so-"
"That's just your excuse, isn't it? How hard is it to serve your husband? That's your duty as a wife!"
"As a wife? When was the last time you truly considered me your wife? You don't even care about me! Didn't you see what you did to my face? You hit me because I found out about your affair with Erika!"
"I didn't cheat, Nina...! I didn't do that!"
"You didn't do that? Do you think I'm stupid? I heard everything she said on the phone. You had s*x with her, didn't you? It must have been so wild that she had to be taken to the hospital for an injured butt, and you're still trying to deny me?" I was so emotional that tears streamed down my face.
I don't understand what I'm really feeling and what I'm really thinking. Everything feels so chaotic that I can't comprehend the situation I'm in right now.
I felt so angry at Simon's betrayal, but on the other hand, I was making the same mistake. I swallowed until my throat ached, trying my best to remain calm.
"I'm sorry I did it! I betrayed you, and I regret it so much. I swear I didn't plan it, I just got carried away because our relationship had been strained for the past few months and we hadn't had s*x in a while, so—"
"How many times?"
"What?"
"How many times did you do it with her?" I asked. Simon looked at me, looking much calmer than he expected.
"Five times."
"Five times? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I did it five times with her! I'm so sorry!"
Simon apologized so simply, as if his mistake was a sin that I had to forgive. I didn't know how to react, everything felt empty.
This question, which I've been holding in my mind for a long time, feels like I really want to ask it today, to anyone, to anyone experiencing what I'm experiencing right now. Is this what karma is? Will I ultimately be punished even if I've repented? Will I experience what they once did when I proudly flirted with their lovers and caused them excruciating pain? Is this really how it ends?
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- Writer
