Michael lives in an unhappy marriage. One day, he cheats on his wife with a stranger. Michael has no idea about the consequences he will face.
“You’re leaving again,” Sarah said from their bedroom door.
Michael zipped his bag and looked at her. “Sarah, it’s just about a week. You know how important this trip is for my career.”
“I know, Michael, but it feels like you’re always leaving. I sometimes wonder if marrying you was a mistake.”
Michael didn’t need to hear more. He was done with Sarah and their constant arguments. He collected his bags and left the house, slamming the front door behind him.
Once Michael arrived in the town where he had come for a business meeting, loneliness gnawed at him.
To keep himself from feeling alone, he downloaded an anonymous dating app, and a woman named Emma started texting him…
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Michael found her witty, and it wasn’t long before they decided to meet.
However, when he finally met Emma at their decided cafe, Michael was a bit startled. He hadn’t expected her to be in her late 40s.
“You’re so interesting and nice. It’s strange that you’re alone,” Emma remarked while they sat across from one another.
Michael felt a pang of guilt but quickly brushed it aside. “Never met the special someone, you know,” he shrugged.
Emma’s smile widened. “Well, I must be fortunate then to have this chance to meet you.”
For the first time in a long while, Michael felt a connection, a sense of belonging outside his troubled marriage. As the night wore on, their conversation became more intimate, and they were soon in a hotel room in each other’s arms.
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When Michael awoke the next morning, Emma was gone. His heart ached to see an empty bed. But then, the guilt of his actions gnawed at him.
He returned home a week after the business trip, wondering how he’d face Sarah. As he stepped inside, he saw her in the living room surrounded by albums.
“Michael, you’re back!” she said, her voice distant.
“Yes,” he replied casually, taking off his shoes.
“I hope you remember! Mom is visiting and wants to meet you!”
Michael was caught off guard. He had almost forgotten about Sarah’s family during their recent arguments and his trip.
“Of course,” he managed to say, trying to sound enthusiastic.
Sarah hesitated. “Could we pretend everything is fine between us? Just for her visit?” she asked, approaching him.
Despite the discomfort, Michael agreed. He couldn’t bear to disappoint Sarah further. He still couldn’t forget he had cheated on her.
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The next day, as Michael waited for his mother-in-law’s arrival, a sharp knock at the door startled him.
Blood drained off his face when he answered the door and saw Emma on the doorstep.
“What are you doing here?” he whispered, panic rising in his voice. “My wife’s home! Get lost!”
Emma raised a brow. “You have a wife? You said you weren’t married.”
Guilt flooded Michael. “I was on a date. Of course, I wouldn’t reveal I had a wife!” he hissed.
“Honey, who’s there?” Sarah’s voice boomed inside.
“Nobody, they’re leaving!” he called out, but just then, Sarah approached the door, and her eyes lit up.
“Mom! I’m so glad to see you!” she exclaimed, embracing the woman.
Michael’s world crumbled around him. When he and Sarah tied the knot a month ago, they couldn’t invite their families. Sarah had told him her mother would visit them soon, but he had forgotten about it.
“Mom, this is my beloved husband,” Sarah chirped, introducing him and Emma.
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Unable to find the words, Michael just nodded, the weight of his secret crushing him.
“Michael, could you please help Mom with her bags?” Sarah asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Sh-sure.”
Michael carried Emma’s bags to the guest bedroom, and once he was alone with her, he asked her to come clean to Sarah.
“We need to talk about something important before that, Michael,” Emma said, gesturing to him to sit beside her.
As Michael sat down, his hands clenched into fists, Emma began.
“After… our encounter, I haven’t been feeling well.” She described her symptoms as nausea, lack of appetite, and constant fatigue.